Postoperative pain and perceptions of recuperation after suture‐ and mesh‐based apical sacrospinous ligament suspension

Objective To compare the incidence of postoperative pain after suture‐ or mesh‐based sacrospinous ligament suspension ( SSLS ). Methods In a retrospective study, data were reviewed from patients who underwent suture‐ or mesh‐based SSLS at a center in Skokie, IL , USA , between 2006 and 2011. The primary outcome was self‐reported postoperative pain scores (range 0–10) on the day of surgery (day 0) and 1 day later (day 1). Results Overall, 90 women were included in the study: 66 underwent mesh‐based SSLS and 24 underwent suture‐based SSLS . Day‐0 mean pain score was 4.65 ± 1.57 in the mesh group and 5.24 ± 1.44 in the suture group (adjusted P= 0.159). Day‐1 mean pain score was 4.06 ± 1.78 in the mesh group and 4.31 ± 1.21 in the suture group (adjusted P= 0.596). Conclusion Postoperative pain did not differ between patients undergoing suture‐based and those undergoing mesh‐based SSLS . These observations should be considered in preoperative counseling of patients.