Outcome of Sacrospinous Ligament Fixation of the Vault during Repair of Pelvic Organ Prolapse

Background: Pelvic organ prolapse includes descent of anterior/ posterior wall and apical (vault) prolapse with significant morbidity. In this study we evaluated the outcome of sacrospinous ligament fixation of vault through vaginal approach as part of the repair for massive uterovaginal (pelvic organ prolapse stage III and stage IV) and vault prolapse. Methods: This study on sacrospinous ligament fixation along with repair for pelvic organ prolapse at Kathmandu Model Hospital from November 2016 to April 2018 was done to assess the outcome in terms of early (during hospital stay) and delayed (six months) post-operative complications, need of removal of sacrospinous fixation suture and recurrence of prolapse. Results: Out of 95 pelvic organ prolapse patients, 80 (84%) were post-menopausal, 28 (29.4%) were in the age group of 70-79 years.  There were 61 (64%) POPQ stage III. The post-operative complications during post-operative hospital stay were pain over right buttock in 42 (44%), urinary retention in 7 (7%) and UTI in 7 (7%). Sacrospinous suture was released in two patients for severe pain over right buttock.  At one-week follow-up, 35 (36%) had right buttock pain of moderate severity and 8 (8%) had vaginal cuff infection. Sacrospinous suture was removed in one patient for neuropraxia two weeks following surgery. At four weeks follow-up, 25 (26%) patients had mild right buttock pain relieved by oral NSAIDs on need. At six months follow-up, five had occasional buttock pain, six had some recurrences and two had some vault prolapse and one each had short vagina and stress incontinence. Conclusions: Sacrospinous   ligament   fixation   is   a   good   procedure   for   the management of pelvic organ prolapse with better long-term outcome if performed with good surgical expertise. Keywords:  Prolapse; repair; sacrospinous fixation; vaginal hysterectomy.