Outcomes of robotic sacrocolpopexy using barbed delayed absorbable sutures

Study Objective: To evaluate 1-year outcomes of robotic sacrocolpopexy (RSC) for pelvic organ prolapse using barbed delayed absorbable sutures. Design: Retrospective cohort study (Class II-3). Settings: University-based hospital in Southeast Texas. Patients: Patients with symptomatic apical pelvic organ prolapse who underwent RSC using barbed delayed absorbable sutures between January 2011 and August 2012. Patients were examined postoperatively at least twice (after 6 weeks and 1 year). Interventions: RSC procedure. Measurements and Main Results: The study included a total of 20 patients, of them 15 had grades 3 or 4 whereas 5 had grade 2 apical defects according to the Baden-Walker classification system. Fourteen patients (70%) underwent concomitant hysterectomy while 9 (45%) underwent concomitant anti-incontinence surgery. Mesh suturing times were 46.9 ± 12.6 and 20.5 ± 9.3 minutes in the first 10 versus the last 10 cases, respectively (p < .001). The mean follow-up duration was 17.3 months (range, 12-24 months). There were no recurrences of apical defects or mesh/suture exposure/erosion. However, 1 patient developed a grade 2 cystocele, and another developed new-onset urinary incontinence, both after 1 year. A third patient's urine leakage did not improve postoperatively. Lastly, a fourth patient developed port site incisional hernia and underwent repair 5 months later. Conclusion: Our study suggests that barbed delayed absorbable sutures are safe and effective in RCS procedures over 1 year. Larger, comparative, and randomized trials are recommended for definitive conclusions.