Short convalescence after vaginal prolapse surgery

Retrospectively to describe the recommended convalescence according to patients who had undergone vaginal prolapse surgery in 1996-98, and prospectively to describe the need for and limiting factors for convalescence after vaginal prolapse surgery in 1999-2000 at a Danish University Hospital.

The retrospective study included a validated, postal, questionnaire and review of patient files. In the prospective study, we followed consecutive women after vaginal surgery in a fast-track setting using a multimodal rehabilitation model with well-defined recommendations for the convalescence period.

In the retrospective study, 188 women (79%) with a median age of 66 years (range, 30-88) answered the questionnaire. They had been recommended a convalescence of median 6 weeks (range, 1-12) for most activities. The subjective recurrence rate was 22% within median 6 months (range, 0-24) after first-time prolapse surgery. In the prospective study, there were 41 consecutive women with a median age of 69 years (range, 44-88). Convalescence was median <1 week for most non-strenuous activities, <2 weeks for light work and <4 weeks for sexual intercourse, sports and work with lifts exceeding 10 kg. Limiting factors were fatigue and pain. The 1-year subjective recurrence rate was 17%.

Traditionally, recommended convalescence has been median 6 weeks after vaginal prolapse surgery. Convalescence has been shortened to 1-3 weeks with a multimodal rehabilitation model with revised, non-restrictive recommendations. Further studies are necessary to evaluate the impact of different convalescence recommendations on the recurrence of prolapse.