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Objective: To review advances of the sacrocolpopexy procedure and demonstrate the Vaginal-Assisted Laparoscopic Sacrocolpopexy approach., Design: Participants who underwent the Vaginal-Assisted Laparoscopic Sacrocolpopexy approach and consented to intra-operative video documentation were included., Setting: This research was conducted at a single academic institution., Interventions: Sacrocolpopexy is an abdominal apical suspension that involves placement of mesh between the vaginal apex and anterior longitudinal ligament overlying the S1-S2 vertebrae. Vaginal Assisted Laparoscopic Sacrocolpopexy (VALS), is a modified approach to sacrocolpopexy. After the hysterectomy, the mesh is attached vaginally to the anterior and posterior vaginal walls. Vaginal dissection of the vesicovaginal and rectovaginal spaces by hand is quick and efficient and allows for palpation of needle depth, which can prevent suture tearing and inadequate mesh attachment with non-tactile placement. The surgeon then transitions back to laparoscopy to complete the remainder of the procedure. Recent literature demonstrates similar rates of mesh complications and reoperation for prolapse with concurrent total hysterectomy versus supracervical hysterectomy given the transition to type I polypropylene mesh and reduction in permanent suture use for vaginal mesh attachment. We anticipate an increase in utilization of the VALS technique given multiple benefits of total hysterectomy, including reduced risk of postoperative menses in premenopausal patients, less postoperative pain and better cosmetic outcomes without need for mini-laparotomy or port-site extension for uterine morcellation, and decreased cervical and endometrial cancer risk. Surgical benefits of the VALS technique include shorter anesthesia and operative time and reduces the need for higher level assistance intraoperatively. VALS is also more ergonomic for the surgeon, promoting use of different muscles throughout the case, thus decreasing muscle fatigue and risk of repetitive motion injury., Conclusion: Laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy utilizing transvaginal mesh attachment is another tool in the myriad of techniques to treat advanced pelvic organ prolapse. This technique reduces operative and anesthesia time, minimizes mesh complications while maintaining successful outcomes for patients. VIDEO ABSTRACT., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare no conflicts of interest and nothing to disclose., (Published by Elsevier Inc.)

Background: Pelvic reconstructive surgery may cause significant postoperative pain, especially with posterior colporrhaphy, contributing to a longer hospital stay and increased pain medication utilization. Regional blocks are being increasingly utilized in gynecologic surgery to improve postoperative pain and decrease opioid usage, yet preoperative pudendal blocks have not been used routinely during posterior colporrhaphy., Objective: This study aimed to compare the effect of preoperative regional pudendal nerve block using a combination of 1.3% liposomal and 0.25% plain bupivacaine vs 0.25% plain bupivacaine alone on vaginal pain after posterior colporrhaphy on postoperative days 1, 2, and 3. We hypothesized that there would be a reduction in vaginal pain scores for the study group vs the control group over the first 72 hours., Study Design: This was a double-blinded, randomized controlled trial that included patients undergoing a posterior colporrhaphy, either independently or in conjunction with other vaginal or abdominal reconstructive procedures. Patients were block randomized to receive 20 mL of either a combination of 1.3% liposomal and 0.25% plain bupivacaine (study) or 20 mL of 0.25% plain bupivacaine (control) in a regional pudendal block before the start of surgery. Double blinding was achieved by covering four 5-mL syringes containing the randomized local anesthetic. After induction of anesthesia, a pudendal nerve block was performed per standard technique (5 mL superiorly and 5 mL inferiorly each ischial spine) using a pudendal kit. The primary outcome was to evaluate postoperative vaginal pain using a visual analog scale on postoperative days 1, 2, and 3. Secondary outcomes included total analgesic medication usage through postoperative day 3, postoperative voiding and defecatory dysfunction, and impact of vaginal pain on quality of life factors., Results: A total of 120 patients were enrolled (60 in each group). There were no significant differences in demographic data, including baseline vaginal pain (P=.88). Postoperative vaginal pain scores were significantly lower in the combined liposomal and bupivacaine group at all time points vs the plain bupivacaine group. Median pain scores for the study and control groups, respectively, were 0 (0-2) and 2 (0-4) for postoperative day 1 (P=.03), 2 (1-4) and 3 (2-5) for postoperative day 2 (P=.05), and 2 (1-4) and 3 (2-5) for postoperative day 3 (P=.02). Vaginal pain scores increased from postoperative day 1 to postoperative days 2 and 3 in both groups. There was a significant decrease in ibuprofen (P=.01) and acetaminophen (P=.03) usage in the study group; however, there was no difference between groups in total opioid consumption through postoperative day 3 (P=.82). There was no difference in successful voiding trials (study 72%, control 82%, P=.30), return of bowel function (P>.99), or quality of life factors (sleep, stress, mood, and activity)., Conclusion: Preoperative regional pudendal block with a combination of liposomal and plain bupivacaine provided more effective vaginal pain control than plain bupivacaine alone for reconstructive surgery that included posterior colporrhaphy. Given the statistically significant decrease in vaginal pain in the study group, this block may be considered as a potential adjunct for multimodal pain reduction in this patient population., (Published by Elsevier Inc.)