Reply to Balaphas et al.

Abstract

CORRESPONDENCE changed within the last 3-5 years and few pelvic floor surgeons now use synthetic material during rectopexy surgery. Hopefully mesh erosion of this type may become even rarer.The question remains: what of the patients who wish to undergo mesh removal without a mesh erosion or complication?Understandably the media interest surrounding the dangers of vaginal mesh surgery and the declaration that synthetic mesh inserted into the vagina for prolapse is no longer allowed are of great concern to rectopexy patients. The very publicly discussed dangers have led to a large number of patients, predominantly women, questioning their surgery and feeling anxious that they have a ticking time bomb within them. Some may have embarrassing and debilitating symptoms such as dyspareunia, side effects they felt unable to fully dis-

Correction: Balaphas et al. Cell Therapy for Anal Sphincter Incontinence: Where Do We Stand? Cells 2021, 10, 2086

“…After transplantation, progenitor cells and stem cells might act by paracrine effects and/or by differentiation into functional muscular cells. It should be pointed out that the exact underlying mechanism remains poorly understood, and that basic research on this topic is still required to understand which factors and conditions are leading to cell engraftment, differentiation and finally tissue regeneration [131,132]. Moreover, the natural history of sphincter lesion/repaired sphincter healing should be better understood in order to select appropriate cell preparations and transplantation techniques.…”