Colpocleisis

The Pelvic Symptoms and Patient Satisfaction After Colpocleisis (Colpocleisis) study was conducted to study the effect of colpocleisis on pelvic support, symptoms and quality of life (QOL) and report associated morbidity and postoperative satisfaction. Colpocleisis, a surgical procedure in which the vagina is closed, is widely recognized as highly successful for relief of symptoms of pelvic organ prolapse (POP) in the elderly patient. In common with other procedures for treatment of advanced POP, although colpocleisis affords effective treatment of POP, optimization of lower urinary tract function in this setting can be challenging. This cohort study of women undergoing colpocleisis was conducted to fill the gaps in our knowledge about this understudied group of patients. Women undergoing colpocleisis for treatment of pelvic organ prolapse were recruited at six centers. Baseline measures included physical examination, responses to the Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory and Pelvic Floor Impact Questionnaire. Baseline measures were repeated 3 and 12 months after surgery. All pelvic symptom scores and related bother significantly improved at 3 and 12 months, and 95% of the participants said they were either 'very satisfied' or 'satisfied' with the outcome of their surgery. This study of 152 women demonstrated that colpocleisis was effective in resolving prolapse and pelvic symptoms and was associated with high patient satisfaction.

STUDY RESULTS SUMMARY

Gutman RE, et al. Effects of colpocleisis on bowel symptoms among women with severe pelvic organ prolapse. Int Urogynecol J. 2010 Apr.

Fitzgerald MP, et al. Pelvic support, pelvic symptoms, and patient satisfaction after colpocleisis. Int Urogynecol J Pelvic Floor Dysfunct. 2008 Dec.

Fitzgerald MP, et al. Colpocleisis: a review. Int Urogynecol J Pelvic Floor Dysfunct. 2006 May.

Jelovsek JE, et al. A model for predicting the risk of de novo stress urinary incontinence in women undergoing pelvic organ prolapse surgery. Obstet Gynecol. 2014 Feb.