[Surgery of prolapse and incontinence in Austria--current status and prospects]

In early 1989, we sent a questionnaire to all 89 Departments of Gynaecology in Austria. Questions covered the number and type of gynaecological operations performed, perioperative management, and diagnosis and treatment of descent and urinary incontinence. 90% of questionnaires were returned. We found that currently 2/3 of all hysterectomies and 9/10 operations for descent and incontinence are done vaginally, irrespective of the size of the department. There was no relationship between the frequency of vaginal hysterectomies and the percentage of vaginal operations for descent and incontinence. Suprapubic bladder drainage is used in over 50%, in 85% postoperative screening for urinary tract infection is done routinely, and 53% of departments use prophylactic antibiotics. We conclude, that vaginal hysterectomy is still the method of choice in Austria, and that there is extreme emphasis on vaginal operations for urinary incontinence.