Transabdominal uterosacral suspension: outcomes and complications.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of the study was to report outcomes and complications following abdominal uterosacral suspension (AUSS) for treatment of pelvic organ prolapse.


METHODS
This was a surgical case series of consecutive women who underwent AUSS between 2002 and 2005.


RESULTS
One hundred seven women underwent AUSS using permanent suture (mean age, 55 years; range, 32-83; and mean follow-up, 21; range, 3-74 months). Concomitant surgery included hysterectomy (99%), continence procedures (14%), and anterior and posterior colporrhaphy (9%). In the 75 patients who completed 1 year of follow-up, 9 patients (12%) reported recurrent or persistent symptoms of prolapse and 5 patients (7%) had objective anatomic failure. Complications were few, with the most common complication being erosion of the apical suspension sutures, which occurred in 9% at an average time of 56 (range, 3-75) months.


CONCLUSIONS
An AUSS successfully suspends the cuff for treatment of prolapse and may be offered prophylactically to women who are undergoing abdominal hysterectomy for nonprolapse indications. Alternative sutures may reduce the suture erosion rate.
Lowenstein
Lior
L
Division of Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Stritch School of Medicine, Loyola University, Chicago, IL 60153, USA.
Fitz
Amelia
A
Kenton
Kimberly
K
FitzGerald
Mary P
MP
Mueller
Elizabeth R
ER
Brubaker
Linda
L
D000005:Abdomen; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D013509:Gynecologic Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D012447:Sacrum; D013536:Suture Techniques; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014596:Uterine Prolapse / Q000601:surgery*; D014599:Uterus