Translabial ultrasonography for evaluation of synthetic mesh in the vagina.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the clinical and surgical findings using translabial ultrasonography (US) in the evaluation of symptoms after transvaginal synthetic mesh placement.


METHODS
From 2009 through 2010, a retrospective observational study was conducted to evaluate patients presenting with complaints after transvaginal mesh implantation for the treatment of stress urinary incontinence or pelvic organ prolapse repair. The clinical and translabial US findings were compared with the intraoperative findings, with a focus on mesh location, erosion, and extrusion.


RESULTS
A total of 51 consecutive patients (mean age 59 years) were evaluated by history and physical examination, translabial US, and intraoperative findings. Using intraoperative findings as the reference standard, translabial US was able to predict the location of the sling in relationship to the urethra (6 distal, 25 mid-urethral, and 20 at the bladder neck), to differentiate between transobturator (n = 21) and retropubic (n = 30) slings, and to detect all anterior (n = 21) and posterior (n = 15) placed mesh. Translabial US was superior to physical examination in identifying mesh erosion into the periurethral fascia or sphincteric unit. US was inferior to physical examination in diagnosing vaginal extrusion but was superior for locating the mesh.


CONCLUSIONS
Translabial US can identify the mesh material used to treat stress urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse. It provides additional information on sling type, mesh location, and morphology compared with the clinical findings and could help in surgical planning and counseling. Prospective clinical studies evaluating the reliability of this technique in larger patient populations are warranted.
Division of Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Urology, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda, CA. Electronic address: astaack@llu.edu.
Andrea
A
Staack
Department of Radiology, University of California Los Angeles, David Geffen School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA.
Jyotsna
J
Vitale
Department of Radiology, University of California Los Angeles, David Geffen School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA.
Nagesh
N
Ragavendra
Division of Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Urology, University of California Los Angeles, David Geffen School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA.
Larissa V
LV
Rodríguez
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D053825:Suburethral Slings; D013526:Surgical Mesh; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014621:Vagina / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*