Influence of overweight in elderly patients undergoing vaginal surgery due to pelvic floor disorders

To evaluate the feasibility and safety of vaginal surgery for treatment of genital prolapse in overweight compared to normal weight patients aged 50 years or older.

We retrospectively reviewed the perioperative data of 93 patients aged between 50 and 87 years undergoing surgery due to pelvic floor disorders. A total of 54 women had a body mass index (BMI) of 25 kg/m(2) or higher and were defined as the study collective. Thirty-nine patients undergoing similar surgical procedures during the same period of time had a BMI less than 25 kg/m(2) and served as the control group. Operating time, duration of hospital stay, intra- and postoperative complications were evaluated as comorbidities. χ(2)-test, Fisher's exact test, Student's t-test and non-parametric Mann-Whitney U-test were applied to compare the results of both collectives.

There were no significant differences between study and control collectives regarding time of surgery, duration of hospital stay or intra- and postoperative complications, although a significant difference was found with regard to the prevalence of pre-existing diabetes mellitus (17% in the study group, versus 5% in the control group, respectively, Fisher's exact test: p=0.04).

Overweight in elderly patients undergoing vaginal surgery due to pelvic floor disorders does not affect the perioperative outcome and is not a risk factor for perioperative complications.