Translevator posterior intravaginal slingplasty: anatomical landmarks and safety margins.
The posterior intravaginal sling is a new tension-free needle suspension technique. It is used for the treatment of middle compartment (vaginal vault or uterine) prolapse. The Prolene sling suspends the vagina at the upper border of level II support as described by DeLancey (Am J Obstet Gynecol 166:1717, 1992). Human cadaveric dissections were undertaken to explore the pertinent anatomy that is involved when using this blind needle technique. Pre-dissected cadaveric material was used to obtain didactic illustrations of the anatomy of the procedure. Description of the surgical technique using anatomical landmarks and relative distances of the needle to these landmarks will improve the surgeon's visual understanding of the procedure. The measurements obtained demonstrate that the needle stays at a minimal distance of 4 cm away from the major (pudendal) vessels that could potentially cause life-threatening haemorrhage.
Smajda
Stefan
S
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Clinique Sainte Anne-Saint Rémi, Bd. Graindor 66, 1070, Brussels, Belgium. dr_smajda@hotmail.com
Vanormelingen
Linda
L
Vandewalle
Giovanni
G
Ombelet
Willem
W
de Jonge
Eric
E
Hinoul
Piet
P
D002102:Cadaver; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010388:Pelvis / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D019919:Prosthesis Implantation / Q000295:instrumentation*; D013526:Surgical Mesh; D014550:Urinary Incontinence, Stress / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D014596:Uterine Prolapse / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*