title: An International Urogynecological Association (IUGA) / International Continence Society (ICS) joint terminology and classification of the complications related directly to the insertion of prostheses (meshes, implants, tapes) & grafts in female pelvic floor surgery.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  a terminology and standardized classification has yet to be developed for those complications arising directly from the insertion of synthetic (prostheses) and biological (grafts) materials in female pelvic floor surgery.
  
  
  METHODS
  this report on the above terminology and classification combines the input of members of the Standardization and Terminology Committees of two International Organizations, the International Urogynecological Association (IUGA) and the International Continence Society (ICS) and a Joint IUGA/ICS Working Group on Complications Terminology, assisted at intervals by many expert external referees. An extensive process of 11 rounds of internal and external review took place with exhaustive examination of each aspect of the terminology and classification. Decision-making was by collective opinion (consensus).
  
  
  RESULTS
  a terminology and classification of complications related directly to the insertion of prostheses and grafts in female pelvic floor surgery has been developed, with the classification based on category (C), time (T) and site (S) classes and divisions, that should encompass all conceivable scenarios for describing insertion complications and healing abnormalities. The CTS code for each complication, involving three (or four) letters and three numerals, is likely to be very suitable for any surgical audit or registry, particularly one that is procedure-specific. Users of the classification have been assisted by case examples, colour charts and online aids ( www.icsoffice.org/complication ).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  a consensus-based terminology and classification report for prosthess and grafts complications in female pelvic floor surgery has been produced, aimed at being a significant aid to clinical practice and research.
authors.affiliation: University of New South Wales, Sydney, N.S.W., Australia. haylen@optusnet.com.au
authors.forename: Bernard T
authors.initials: BT
authors.lastname: Haylen
authors.forename: Robert M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Freeman
authors.forename: Steven E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Swift
authors.forename: Michel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cosson
authors.forename: G Willy
authors.initials: GW
authors.lastname: Davila
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Deprest
authors.forename: Peter L
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Dwyer
authors.forename: Brigitte
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Fatton
authors.forename: Ervin
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kocjancic
authors.forename: Joseph
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Chris
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Maher
authors.forename: Eckhard
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Petri
authors.forename: Diaa E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Rizk
authors.forename: Peter K
authors.initials: PK
authors.lastname: Sand
authors.forename: Gabriel N
authors.initials: GN
authors.lastname: Schaer
authors.forename: Ralph J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Webb
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D017773:Pelvic Floor / Q000601:surgery*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000145:classification* / Q000209:etiology; D019736:Prostheses and Implants / Q000009:adverse effects*; D053825:Suburethral Slings / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013526:Surgical Mesh / Q000009:adverse effects*; D009626:Terminology as Topic; D019737:Transplants / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013519:Urogenital Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000592:standards