title: Use of grafts in pelvic reconstructive surgery.
abstract: There has been growing interest in the use of grafts in pelvic reconstructive surgery. This article will address available graft materials and assess their clinical efficacy and safety. We conducted a Pubmed MEDLINE literature search for full-length English text studies with follow-up periods of at least one year. There are many reports on synthetic and biological graft materials; the majority are not well-designed, have short-term follow-up, small sample sizes, and poor outcome assessment. The use of non-absorbable synthetic grafts may offer excellent anatomical cure rates. However, it is associated with a high incidence of graft-related complications, including healing abnormalities and adverse bladder, bowel, and sexual function effects. These complications can be decreased with absorbable synthetic meshes, but efficacy is lower compared to non-absorbable ones. There is insufficient evidence in favor of biological grafts. In conclusion, based on current knowledge, routine application of grafts in pelvic reconstruction is not recommended. It is preferred that graft utilization be individualized, with close monitoring for complications.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 134 Sinchon-Dong, Seodaemun-Gu, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Myung Jae
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Jeon
authors.forename: Sang Wook
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Bai
mesh_terms: D020341:Absorbable Implants; D016025:Bone Transplantation; D006801:Humans; D007723:Korea; D010384:Pelvic Bones / Q000601:surgery*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome