Identification of risk factors for genital prolapse recurrence

To assess the relationship between prolapse recurrence and some risk factors in a group of women submitted to reconstructive pelvic surgery.

Women referred to our Urogynaecological Units complaining of prolapse symptoms were prospectively included. We excluded women who were affected by apical vaginal prolapse >stage I after a previous hysterectomy. All women had pelvic surgery with traditional techniques without using grafts. Each woman was reassessed at 1, 6, and 12 months and then yearly postoperatively. We defined as prolapse recurrence a vaginal descent >or=II stage involving the operated compartments.

A total of 360 consecutive women were recruited and submitted to vaginal reconstructive pelvic surgery. At a mean follow-up of 26 months, 36 women (10%) had a recurrent prolapse. A preoperative vaginal descent >or=III stage was the only significant risk factor for recurrence (P = 0.02, OR 2.4, 1.1-5.1 95% CI).

Women with prolapse >or=III stage had a significant higher risk of developing prolapse recurrence after surgical repair without grafts.