Long-term study shows: continously more quality of life after cystocele repair with multi-armed mesh TiLOOP® Total 6

Most patients with genital prolapse suffer a significant reduction in their quality of life. For patients with a cystocele (bladder prolapse) for whom no other form of treatment helps quality of life can significantly be improved through a surgical procedure with a multi-armed mesh implant. This finding was the result of the 36-month data of a prospective, multicentre study conducted in 9 German hospitals (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01084889).

This observational study was designed to assess in particular the impact of mesh-supported surgery in the anterior compartment on the patients' quality of life, as well as the anatomical success and the complication rate. 

A total of 289 patients at nine hospitals were treated with a titanised mesh implant (TiLOOP® Total 6) with distal, apical and lateral fixation for the vaginal cystocele repair. The patients all were diagnosed with at least a grade II cystocele or a grade I symptomatic cystocele according to the ICS Prolapse Quantification (POP-Q1). Primary as well as relapse treatment was allowed. The average age of the patients was 67 years (±8 years, 43-87). They had given birth to an average of 2,3 (±1,2) children.

Primary study objective among others was the quality of life after six months. Secondary study objectives were the adverse events after 6, 12 and 36 months, the quality of life after 12 and 36 months as well as the viability of the mesh implantation.

The patients were clinically examined (POP-Q-Klassifikation1) in accordance with the study protocol before the surgery and 6, 12 and 36 months after the surgery and asked about their quality of life with a validated questionnaire (P-QoL2). General perception of health, impairment as a result of the prolapse, role impairment, physical impairment, personal relationships including sexuality, emotions, sleep and other impairments were recorded. The data were recorded in an electronic database (electronic case report form, eCRF). A monitor checked the entire data collection. The adverse events reported during the study were reviewed and evaluated by an independent external "clinical event committee".

The most significant results after 36 months:

An observational study with 50 patients at five clinical centres was started in early 2016 (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02690220). The new 3 mm mesh TiLOOP® PRO Plus Anterior is being used. Slings and introducers are still being applied the same way. The mesh shape is optimised. The study will assess whether or not an advantage can be gained by using the larger pores.

1. POP-Q-Klassifkation: Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification System
2. Prolapse Quality of Life Questionnaire (P-Qol)t: general perception of health, impairment as a result of the prolapse, role impairment, physical impairment, personal relationships including sexuality, emotions, sleep and other impairments
3. J. Farthmann, M. Mengel, B. Henne, M. Grebe, D. Watermann, J. Kaufhold, M. Stehle, C. Fuenfgeld: Improvement of pelvic floor-related quality of life and sexual function after vaginal mesh implantation for cystocele: primary endpoint of a prospective multicentre trial. Arch Gynecol Obstet. 2016 Jul; 294(1):115-21. doi: 10.1007/s00404-016-4014-0. Epub 2016 Jan 18.  
4. pfm medical ag, data on file, AbschlussberichtTiLOOP® Total 6-Studie (Clinical Investigational Report – Final Report)