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Age as a risk factor in major genitourinary surgery
1Gynecological Urology and Urodynamic Investigative Unit, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ont.
Summary
Age is not a barrier for treating genuine stress incontinence in women over 65. Retropubic colpourethropexy surgery shows similar success and complication rates in elderly versus younger patients.
Area of Science:
- Urogynecology
- Geriatric Surgery
Background:
- Urinary incontinence surgery is often avoided in elderly patients due to age concerns.
- Genuine stress incontinence (GSI) affects many older women, impacting quality of life.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of age on the success and complication rates of abdominal retropubic colpourethropexy for GSI.
- To compare outcomes between elderly (≥65 years) and younger patients undergoing the procedure.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of patients undergoing modified retropubic colpourethropexy.
- Comparison of success rates, complication rates, and length of hospital stay between age groups.
- Inclusion of urodynamic parameters in the analysis.
Main Results:
- No statistically significant differences in success rates between elderly and younger patients.
- Similar complication rates observed across both age groups.
- Length of hospital stay and some urodynamic values showed differences, but did not affect overall outcomes.
Conclusions:
- Modified retropubic colpourethropexy is a safe and effective treatment for GSI in properly selected elderly patients.
- Age alone should not be a contraindication for surgical correction of genuine stress incontinence.
- The procedure offers comparable outcomes to those seen in younger patient populations.