Incidence of Sacral Osteomyelitis and Discitis After Minimally Invasive Sacrocolpopexy

Researchers from UPMC and the University of Pittsburgh aimed to determine the incidence of sacral osteomyelitis and discitis after minimally invasive sacrocolpopexy and any association those incidents had with method of sacral mesh fixation according to their study published in Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery. 

This retrospective cohort study looked at consecutive minimally invasive sacrocolpopexies performed by 11 female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery board-certified surgeons from January 2009 to August 2019. Using data from the electronic health record (EHR), researchers identified 1,610 women who underwent laparoscopic and robot-assisted minimally invasive sacrocolpopexy, all with polypropylene mesh. Among these, there were no cases (0%) of osteomyelitis or discitis.

With an incidence of less than 0.1% cases, sacral osteomyelitis and discitis are rare early outcomes after minimally invasive sacrocolpopexy. Given an absence of cases in this study, researchers were unable to assess for an association between method of sacral attachment and sacral osteomyelitis and discitis. 

Learn more here.

UPMC and University of Pittsburgh Authors

Abby Stork, MD
Graduate Medical Resident, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine

Lauren Giugale, MD
Assistant Professor, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences

Megan Bradley, MD
Assistant Professor, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences
Fellowship Director, Female Pelvic Medicine & Reconstructive Surgery, UPMC Medical Education Program

Halina M. Zyczynski, MD
Professor, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences
Medical Director, Women's Center for Bladder & Pelvic Health