Incidence and management of abdominal sacrocolpopexy mesh erosions

Objective: This study was undertaken to evaluate the occurrence and management of mesh erosions in patients undergoing abdominal sacrocolpopexy. Study design: A retrospective chart review of the abdominal sacrocolpopexy procedure (n = 92) between 1997 and 2003 was performed. Patients with mesh erosion were identified. Incidence by graft type and treatment required for erosion resolution was analyzed with χ² and Fisher exact test. Results: Erosions occurred in 7.6 % (7/92). Erosions were identified only in patients with Gore-Tex (3/33, 9%) or silicone-coated mesh (4/21, 19%) compared with none of 38 patients with polypropylene mesh (n = 24) or fascia (n = 14) grafts (P =. 068.). Partial excision of exposed graft resolved all 3 Gore-Tex erosions, compared with none of the silicone-coated mesh erosions (P =. 03). Complete graft removal was required to resolve silicone-coated mesh erosions. Conclusion: We observed a high rate of erosion with Gore-Tex and silicone-coated mesh. Partial graft excision was adequate for Gore-Tex erosions, but complete graft removal was necessary to resolve erosions associated with silicone-coated mesh.