Benefits and risks

Information for the public

When NICE looked at the evidence, it decided that there was not enough to support the routine use of sacrocolpopexy with hysterectomy using mesh to repair uterine prolapse in women. The 10 studies that NICE looked at involved a total of 2,277 patients.

Generally, they showed the following benefits:

a successful procedure in at least 90% of women
93% of women were satisfied with the results about 2 years later
an improvement in pelvic floor symptoms.

The studies showed that most of the risks of sacrocolpopexy with hysterectomy using mesh for uterine prolapse repair were similar to or lower than those reported with other procedures. Other risks included:

mesh erosion in around 10% of women having treatment; at least half these women needed further surgery to correct the erosion or remove the mesh
less risk of mesh erosion in women who had already had a hysterectomy than in women who had a hysterectomy done at the same time
mesh erosion in up to 14% of women who had both their womb and cervix removed compared with 0% in those whose cervix remained
wound infection in 8% of women
bruising around the bladder in 10% of women
hernia at the site of the cut for the operation in 2% of women
problems emptying the bladder and bowel in 2% of women.

NICE was also told about another possible risk: bone infection.

If you want to know more about the studies, see the guidance. Ask your health professional to explain anything you don't understand.