Risk Factors for Exposure, Pain, and Dyspareunia After Tension-Free Vaginal Mesh Procedure

OBJECTIVE: To identify possible risk factors for exposure, dyspareunia, and pain after insertion of tension-free vaginal mesh in pelvic organ prolapse surgery. METHODS: This was a prospective observational cohort study. Consecutive women who underwent surgery with a trocar-guided tension-free vaginal mesh kit were included and evaluated at 6 weeks and at 6 and 12 months after surgery with respect to anatomy and complications. Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify risk factors for exposure, dyspareunia, and pain. RESULTS: Two hundred ninety-four patients were included. Exposure was found in 34 patients (12%). Smoking and total mesh were risk factors for exposure (odds ratio [OR] 3.1, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.1-8.7 and OR 3.0, 95% CI 1.2-7.0, respectively). Clinical and surgical experience were inversely related to the risk of exposure (OR 0.5, 95% CI 0.3-0.8 per decade). Pain (OR 3.2, 95% CI 1.2-8.4) and dyspareunia (OR 4.7, 95% CI 1.7-12.8) before surgery were predictive for pain and dyspareunia after surgery, respectively. Pain after surgery was found in 35 out of 275 (13%) patients and dyspareunia was found in 77 out of 171 (45%) patients. CONCLUSION: Smoking, total tension-free vaginal mesh, and experience were predictive factors for mesh exposure.