Prospective cohort study of bowel function after robotic sacrocolpopexy

Area of Science:

• Urogynecology
• Pelvic Floor Surgery
• Gastrointestinal Health

Background:

• Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) often necessitates surgical intervention.
• Robotic sacrocolpopexy is a common surgical approach for POP.
• Bowel dysfunction is a frequent comorbidity and potential complication of POP surgery.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate changes in bowel function 12 months after robotic sacrocolpopexy.
• To assess the impact of robotic sacrocolpopexy on quality of life related to bowel function.
• To compare bowel function outcomes based on the performance of concomitant perineorrhaphy.

Main Methods:

• Prospective cohort study of 393 patients undergoing robotic sacrocolpopexy.
• Bowel function assessed using the Colorectal-Anal Distress Inventory, Short Form 8 (CRADI-8).
• Quality of life related to bowel function measured by the Colorectal-Anal Impact Questionnaire, Short Form 7 (CRAIQ-7).
• Analysis of "splinting to defecate" and comparison of outcomes with and without perineorrhaphy.

Main Results:

• Significant improvement in mean CRADI-8 scores from 21.1 to 7.3 (P < 0.0001).
• Significant improvement in mean CRAIQ-7 scores from 11.1 to 2.4 (P < 0.0001).
• 70% of patients resolved preoperative "splinting to defecate" by 12 months.
• No significant difference in bowel function scores between patients with and without perineorrhaphy.

Conclusions:

• Robotic sacrocolpopexy leads to substantial improvements in patient bowel function.
• The procedure positively impacts quality of life concerning bowel function.
• Concomitant perineorrhaphy did not appear to affect 12-month bowel function outcomes.