Tobacco use is a risk factor for mesh erosion after abdominal sacral colpoperineopexy.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association between smoking and vaginal mesh erosion after abdominal sacral colpoperineopexy with the use of type 1 polypropylene mesh.


METHODS
All cases of mesh erosion (n = 27) that were diagnosed between October 2003 and June 2006 were identified and compared with matched control cases (n = 81). Control cases were matched for age, diabetes mellitus status, hypoestrogenic state (menopausal status, chronic steroid use, use of hormone therapy), abdominal-vaginal rectocele repair, culdoplasty, and concomitant hysterectomy. Demographic data, surgical characteristics, and postoperative complications were also compared between groups. Continuous data were compared using 2-sample Student t tests. Categoric data were compared with the use of Pearson Chi-square tests.


RESULTS
The odds of experiencing mesh erosion was significantly greater in smokers than in nonsmokers (odds ratio, 4.4; 95% CI, 1.3, 14.4; P = .010) when potential confounders were similar between groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Tobacco use is a risk factor for vaginal mesh erosion after abdominal sacral colpoperineopexy with the use of type 1 polypropylene mesh.
Lowman
Joye K
JK
Division of Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA. jklowman@iupui.edu
Woodman
Patrick J
PJ
Nosti
Patrick A
PA
Bump
Richard C
RC
Terry
Colin L
CL
Hale
Douglass S
DS
D000368:Aged; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D015986:Confounding Factors, Epidemiologic; D004868:Equipment Failure; D005260:Female; D013509:Gynecologic Surgical Procedures; D006801:Humans; D008022:Ligaments / Q000601:surgery; D008875:Middle Aged; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D019736:Prostheses and Implants / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013526:Surgical Mesh / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013536:Suture Techniques; D014596:Uterine Prolapse / Q000601:surgery*; D014621:Vagina / Q000601:surgery*