Objective: This study aimed to compare sexual function before and 1 year after laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy using a porcine dermis or a polypropylene mesh material.

Methods: This was a secondary analysis of sexual function measured before and 1 year after laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy in a group of 81 sexually active women participating in a randomized controlled trial comparing porcine dermis and polypropylene mesh. Sexual function was assessed using the short form of the Pelvic Organ Prolapse/Urinary Incontinence Sexual Questionnaire (PISQ-12). Responses to individual questions from the physical domain of the PISQ-12 were also analyzed. Additional information included the type of mesh material used and whether a concomitant suburethral sling or perineorrhaphy was performed.

Results: There was a significant postoperative improvement in total PISQ-12 scores for the entire cohort (33.2 vs 38.3, P < 0.01). Similarly, PISQ-12 scores were significantly improved in both groups (33.2 preoperative vs 37.4 one year postoperative in the porcine dermis, P < 0.01 and 33.2 vs 39.2 in the polypropylene mesh, P < 0.01). There were no differences between the 2 graft material groups. Preoperatively, 63.0% (48/76) of women reported avoiding sexual intercourse because of bulging in vagina (PISQ12-question #8), at 1 year postoperatively only 4% (3/76) had a positive response (P < 0.01). We observed a significant decrease in the number of women who reported pain during intercourse at 12 months as evidenced by the responses to the PISQ12-question #5, 47.4% (36/76) versus 26.3% (20/76) (P < 0.01). The addition of a suburethral sling or a perineorrhaphy did not negatively impact sexual function at 1 year.

Conclusions: Laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy had a positive impact on sexual function at 1 year regardless of whether a porcine dermis or a polypropylene mesh material was used.