[Genital prolapse in Dakar]

Genital prolapses are the result of musculo-ligamentary alterations often caused or complicated by traumatic delivery and senible atrophy of the tissues. From 1969 to 1988, we gathered 104 files of patients with genital prolapses. The age of the patients ranged from 20 to 70 years with an average age of 30. The subject between the ages of 20 and 39 were the most affected (64%). The average number of children per woman was 4. 60 patients had 5 children. No case of prolapses was found among virgin or mulliparous women. In 48 cases delivery was dystocic. The clinical symptomatology was a feeling of intravaginal globus, pelvic algia and discomfort (57 cases). Straingul urinary incontinence wax manifest in 15 patients. Colpocystocele (88 cases), rectocele (66 cases) and hysterocele (50 cases) were among the most frequently evidence lesions. On the therapeutic matter, the low passage was used 58 times and the high passage 32 times. An urinary gesture was made 33 times. There was no operatory fatality. Urinary troubles related to infection, acute retention of urine and strainful urinary incontinence were observed. Later 10 cases of recurrence were observed within an average time interval of 2 years. This work is characterized by the young age of the patients. It denotes the noticeable role played by obstétrical traumatisms in the genesis of genital prolapses in the African context. The senescence and atrophy of the tissues seem to have a less important role in contrast with the developed countries. Finally, the surgical treatment of these patients must take into account, among other things, the child bearing desire of the patients, given the social and psychological weight of maternity in our society.