What question did this study set out to answer?

This review aims to summarize the complexities of pelvic organ prolapse (POP), focusing on its genetic and surgical management aspects.

June 27, 2026Open Access

Pelvic Organ Prolapse with an Emphasis on the Central Compartment: From Genetic Risk Factors and Biomarkers to Contemporary Sacropexy and Emerging Robotic Innovations

Key Points

This review aims to summarize the complexities of pelvic organ prolapse (POP), focusing on its genetic and surgical management aspects.
Conducted a literature search on PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar for peer-reviewed studies until February 2026.
Reviewed molecular mechanisms, emerging biomarkers, and surgical options like sacrocolpopexy, including robotic-assisted methods.
Sacrocolpopexy shows over 90% objective success rate with low recurrence and significant improvement in quality of life.
Robotic-assisted surgeries offer efficacy comparable to traditional methods with reduced blood loss and quicker recovery.
Learning curve for the laparoscopic approach stabilizes after 30 operations, while robotic platforms may enhance dissection capabilities.

Abstract

Apical pelvic organ prolapse (POP) is characterized by descent of the uterus or post-hysterectomy vaginal vault resulting from failure of level I pelvic support and represents a major contributor to pelvic floor dysfunction and recurrent prolapse surgery. Loss of apical support is frequently associated with anterior and posterior compartment defects, leading to vaginal bulge symptoms, pelvic pressure, urinary and bowel dysfunction, sexual dysfunction, and reduced quality of life. This narrative review summarizes current knowledge on POP, from molecular mechanisms and emerging biomarkers to contemporary surgical management, with particular emphasis on sacrocolpopexy and robotic-assisted approaches. A literature search of PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, and Consensus identified peer-reviewed studies published up to February 2026. Evidence demonstrates that POP has a multifactorial and polygenic background involving extracellular matrix remodeling, connective tissue integrity, smooth muscle dysfunction, and altered level of protein expression. Several candidate biomarkers, including single-nucleotide polymorphisms, circulating proteins, metabolites, and imaging-based parameters, show potential for risk prediction and earlier diagnosis, although routine clinical implementation remains limited. Sacrocolpopexy remains the gold standard for apical prolapse repair because of superior anatomical outcomes, low recurrence, and significant quality-of-life improvement. Laparoscopic and robotic-assisted sacrocolpopexy provide comparable efficacy with reduced blood loss, shorter hospitalization, and faster recovery. The objective success rate is usually over 90%. Complications are very rare and typically include mesh erosion in 2–4% of cases and the need for reoperation in 6% of cases. Our own experience shows that, for a group of surgeons, the learning curve for the laparoscopic approach reached a plateau after a total of 30 operations. Robotic platforms may facilitate complex pelvic dissection and shorten the learning curve, although higher procedural costs remain a major limitation.

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