Vaginal axis on MRI after laparoscopic pectopexy surgery: a controlled study

Aims: Laparoscopic pectopexy has emerged as a feasible alternative to sacrocolpopexy (SCP) for treating female genital apical prolapse. Although several previous studies have reported changes in the vaginal axis in women who have undergone SCP, laparoscopic lateral mesh suspension, sacrospinous ligament fixation surgery for prolapse, there is a lack of data on changes in the vaginal axis after pectopexy. This study aimed to evaluate the degree of anatomical correction achieved by laparoscopic pectopexy in patients with apical genital prolapse using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Methods: Individuals who experienced pectopexy and a nulliparous control group were enrolled in this prospective observational case-control investigation. MRI scans were conducted on both the control cohort and the study group before and after the procedure. The angles formed by the pubococcygeal line and the inferior vaginal segment, the levator plate and the pubococcygeal line, as well as the inferior and superior vaginal segments, were measured and compared. Results: The change in angle between the lower vagina and upper vagina was statistically significant, with preoperative and postoperative values of 134.91°±6.25° and 166.82°±6.15°, respectively (p=0.0001). The angle between the lower vagina and pubococcygeal line showed a significant change, with preoperative and postoperative values of 44.64°±1.8° and 65.73°±10.19°, respectively (p=0.0001). Postoperative angles were not similar among nulliparous patients based on the MRI findings. The postoperative Urogenital Distress Inventory scores are significantly lower than the preoperative scores (p=0.0001). Conclusion: The pectopexy procedure is not optimal for achieving a normal vaginal axis.