Tension-free vaginal mesh (TVM) surgery is a common and minimally invasive procedure for female patients with pelvic organ prolapses (POP) [1-6]. In 2004, this procedure was developed by a French group [1]. Since a standardized surgical kit has not been approved by Japanese Government, we have been making a ready-made sized mesh which had been designed from French women. Hence, above mesh is too big for average Japanese women. From 2009, we have planned to make tailor-made mesh by information of each patient before every TVM surgery. Combination of our original, welldesigned, and tailor-made mesh and good surgical skill has shown better clinical course without serious complications.

The aim of this report is to inform methods to design the mesh for individual patients with POP. We also investigated the correlations among mesh size and height, weight, and body mass index (BMI).

Before the operation, we obtained a KUB (abdominal X-ray). Three factors were measured from this X-ray (figure 1): the first was the distance between the bilateral ischial spine, the second was the distance between the obturator foramen, and the third was the length of the arcus tendineus fascia pelvis (ATFP). Since the ischial spine is located in a more posterior position than the symphysis of the pubic bone, the actual length of the ATFP is slightly longer than that determined in the X-ray. Although the shape of tailor-made mesh is closely resembles ready-made uniform, we always rearrange the mesh size based on these three parameters.

A total of 56 female patients who have undergone TVM surgery in our institute were consecutively enrolled to investigate whether there is the correlations among the bilateral ischial spine distance, obturator foramen dis-

tance, ATFP length, height, weight, and BMI. Statistical significance was evaluated by the Pearson correlation coefficient using conventional software (Excel), and p values < 0.05 were regarded as statistically significant.

Height was correlated with both the bilateral ischial spine and obturator foramen distance (r = 0.4662, p = 0.0003 and r = 0.4186, p = 0.0013, respectively) (Figures 2 and 3). Weight was also correlated with both the bilateral ischial spine and obturator foramen distance (r = 0.3898, p = 0.003 and r = 0.3016, p = 0.0239, respectively). Height is well concerned with these two parameters than weight.

The bilateral ischial spine distance was correlated with the obturator foramen distance (r = 0.4725, p = 0.0002). Interestingly, the length of the ATFP was not correlated with height (Figure 4). BMI was not correlated with any of these three parameters.

Although these three factors described above are necessary to design a tailor-made mesh for individual patients, the bilateral ischial spine and obturator foramen distance correlated with the height of the patient. On the other hand, since the length of ATFP differs in each patient and is not correlated with height, we should consider this length when we design the mesh. Anatomically, this length means the length of anterior vaginal wall.

So especially, in case of TVM-for anterior vaginal wall, we take best care of puncture point of ATFP. Although the length of ATFP differs from patient, when the distance between the first and second puncture points is short, there is a possibility that the second puncture is not near the ischial spine, or otherwise the first puncture is not near the inside of obturator foramen. In fact, a reasonable distance and corresponding designed mesh is important for good mesh positioning for each patient [7].

If the mesh size was too big, it might be a cause of wrinkled mesh after surgery. On the other hand, if the mesh size was too small, it might be not enough for reconstruction of each pelvic floor.

In July of 2011 the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released a safety communication entitled “UPDATE on Serious Complications Associated with Transvaginal Placement of Surgical Mesh for Pelvic Organ Prolapse”. In this report, the most common mesh-related complication experienced by patients undergoing transvaginal pelvic organ prolapse (POP) repair with mesh is vaginal mesh erosion. Based on data from 110 studies including 11,785 women, approximately 10 percent of women undergo transvaginal POP repair with mesh experienced mesh erosion within 12 months of surgery [8]. So we should take special care when using a surgical mesh for the transvaginal repair of POP.

Since the relationship between mesh erosion and wrinkled mesh after surgery remains to be clarified, it cannot be said that tailor-made mesh is obviously better than ready made uniform. Furthermore, without comparing two types of mesh (tailor-made mesh and ready-made uniform mesh), it is not possible to say that this designed tailor-made mesh is better than ready made uniform. Studies using cohorts of two types of mesh are warranted to confirm the results of this study. 

In conclusion, well-designed, tailor-made mesh will probably fit each pelvic organ prolapsed patient very well. Furthermore, our original method to design tailor-made mesh may be able to prevent mesh-related severe complications during POP surgery.