A Randomized Controlled Trail of Uterosacral Ligament Suspension in the Treatment of Pelvic Organ Prolapse

Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) is one of the common benign gynecological disorders in middle-aged and elderly women, which severely affects patients' quality of life and increases the social burden. The lifetime risk of undergoing surgery for POP is 12.6%. Surgery is an important treatment modality for POP, and currently, there are various surgical procedures used in clinical practice, but there is still no clear consensus on which procedure is superior. Autologous tissue repair remains crucial in pelvic floor reconstruction surgery, and high uterosacral ligament suspension (HUSLS) via a vaginal approach is a classic corrective procedure for central pelvic defects. However, with the development of minimally invasive techniques, laparoscopic uterosacral ligament suspension (LUSLS) has been widely used in the field of pelvic floor reconstruction. Compared to the vaginal approach, LUSLS is easier to perform, has a shorter learning curve, provides better exposure of the ureters, and allows for higher-quality suture placement under safe conditions. The main controversial clinical issue in the industry regarding high uterosacral ligament suspension is whether to perform uterine preservation, with the core concern being the risk of postoperative recurrence. High uterosacral ligament suspension with uterine preservation achieves level I repair by fixing the lower segment or cervix to supporting structures. Its advantages include shorter operation time, less blood loss, and the preservation of the patient's fertility. Many women request uterine preservation for various reasons. Therefore, high-quality research is needed to guide the clinical decision-making regarding uterine preservation in high uterosacral ligament suspension. Previous studies have found that approximately 40% of patients with pelvic organ prolapse have concurrent cervical elongation. For patients with cervical elongation, symptoms in the central pelvic region are mainly caused by the protrusion of elongated cervical tissue into the vagina. Removing the elongated cervix significantly reduces the need for biological support in pelvic floor reconstruction, making autologous tissue repair strategies the preferred option for this patient population while providing a foundation for uterine preservation. Based on long-term observational studies, the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Peking Union Medical College Hospital has proposed combining laparoscopic uterosacral ligament suspension with cervical amputation for the treatment of pelvic organ prolapse with cervical elongation. This study aims to compare whether uterine preservation in laparoscopic uterosacral ligament suspension is non-inferior to uterine removal, providing more treatment options for future patients with pelvic organ prolapse and cervical elongation.

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Key information

Conditions

Pelvic Organ Prolapse Pathological Conditions, Anatomical Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Prolapse

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

Female

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

Age ≥ 18 years with symptomatic stage II or higher uterine prolapse (C ≥ +1cm) and gynecological ultrasonography confirming cervical length ≥ 4cm. Concurrent anterior and/or posterior vaginal wall prolapse may be present.
Preoperative pelvic ultrasound and cervical screening show no abnormalities.
The patient does not have a desire for future fertility.
Willingness and ability to adhere to the follow-up treatment plan.
Competence to provide informed consent.

Exclusion criteria

Suspected untreated lower genital tract tumor, accompanied by other uterine, ovarian, and cervical lesions requiring surgical intervention, indicating contraindication for uterine preservation.
Patients with a history of total hysterectomy/subtotal hysterectomy.
Patients who have previously undergone pelvic organ prolapse surgery or other pelvic floor surgeries.
Patients with contraindications for laparoscopic surgery, such as intestinal obstruction.
Patients with intestinal hernia.
Patients with gynecological and urinary tract infections, anticoagulant therapy, coagulation disorders, previous pelvic radiotherapy, as well as neurological or medical conditions affecting bladder and bowel function (such as multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injury, or residual neurological dysfunction caused by stroke), and patients with underlying conditions such as chronic pelvic pain, who are at higher risk for surgery.
Simultaneous anti-urinary incontinence surgery is required for this procedure.

Treatment and study plan

Laparoscopic uterosacral ligament suspension with hysterectomy

Procedure

After anesthesia, bladder stone removal patients undergo laparoscopic hysterectomy. The adnexa are coagulated and cut, and the bladder peritoneal reflection is opened. The uterus is removed transvaginally. Next, laparoscopic uterosacral ligament suspension is performed. The right and left uterosacral ligaments are freed and sutured to lift the residual end.

Laparoscopic uterosacral ligament suspension with cervical amputation

Procedure

After anesthesia, bladder stone removal patients undergo cervical amputation surgery. The cervix is exposed and elevated using Allis forceps. A dilator is used to expand the cervix, and an incision is made on the anterior vaginal wall. The cervix is excised and shaped using the Sturmdorf method. Afterward, laparoscopic uterosacral ligament suspension is performed. The right and left uterosacral ligaments are freed and sutured to lift the uterus.

Primary outcomes

The composite success rate at the one-year follow-up

Time frame: At the one-year follow-up
- No sensation of vaginal bulge or protrusion, indicated by a response of "no" or a score of 0 on question 3 of the PFDI-20 questionnaire, which asks, "Do you often see or feel a bulge or something falling out of your vagina?"
- No further treatment (surgical or non-surgical) required for POP (Pelvic Organ Prolapse).
- Absence of POP-Q points at the hymen or beyond the hymen, indicating that Aa, Ba, C, Ap, and Bp are all < 0cm.

Study contacts

Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.

Ying Zhou, MD

CONTACT

[email protected]

+8613681253992

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Lan Zhu

Other

Registry information

Official study title

To Compare the Clinical Efficacy and Safety of Laparoscopic Uterosacral Ligament Suspension With or Without Hysterectomy in the Treatment of POP

Important dates

Study start: 2024
Primary completion: 2026
Study completion: 2027
First posted: May 17, 2024
Registry last updated: May 17, 2024

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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