Single-port laparoscopic abdominal sacral colpopexy: initial experience and comparative outcomes.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the efficacy and safety of single-port laparoscopic abdominal sacral colpopexy (ASC) for the treatment of female pelvic organ prolapse (POP).

METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was performed to assess perioperative outcomes among women who were treated for symptomatic POP with laparoscopic, robotic, or single-port laparoscopic ASC. All patients underwent preoperative history and physical examination including POP quantification (POP-Q) staging and urodynamics. ASC with or without anti-incontinence surgery was performed via the aforementioned approaches. Demographic and perioperative data were obtained. Patients were followed up postoperatively at 3 and 6 months with POP-Q evaluation. Statistical analysis was performed.

RESULTS: From October 2005 to July 2008, 30 female patients with symptomatic Stage II (6 patients), Stage III (23 patients), or Stage IV (1 patient) POP were treated with laparoscopic (10), robotic (10), or single-port laparoscopic (10) ASC. Mean age of the entire cohort was 61.1 years. Mean body mass index was 26.7 kg/m(2). Seventeen patients demonstrated stress urinary incontinence and underwent concomitant sling placement. No intraoperative complications were encountered. No significant difference was noted in the 3 cohorts with respect to operative time, blood loss, mean visual analog pain score at discharge, or duration of hospitalization. At 6 months following surgery, 27 patients underwent follow-up POP-Q, with all patients demonstrating excellent apical support and prolapse reduction.

CONCLUSIONS: Single-port laparoscopic ASC offers comparable efficacy and superior cosmesis compared to alternative approaches. Long-term follow-up is needed to confirm durability of repair.