Peri- and Postoperative Outcomes of Outpatient vs Inpatient Laparoscopic Apical Prolapse Repair

To assess the feasibility of outpatient laparoscopic management of apical pelvic organ prolapse along with indicated vaginal repairs and anti-incontinence procedures.

Retrospective cohort study.

Tertiary-care academic center, Boston, MA.

Total of 112 patients seen in the minimally invasive gynecologic surgery and urogynecology clinics with symptomatic pelvic organ prolapse.

Laparoscopic hysterectomy, sacrocervico- or sacrocolpopexy along with vaginal prolapse and anti-incontinence procedures as indicated from 2013 to 2017 at Brigham & Women's Hospital and Brigham & Women's Faulkner Hospital performed by a minimally invasive gynecologic surgery and urogynecology team.

Of the 112 patients, 52 were outpatient and 60 were admitted (median stay in admission group = 1 day; range 1-3). Patient baseline characteristics, American Society of Anesthesiologists' class, and pelvic organ prolapse quantification stage were similar between the outpatient and admitted cohorts. Most patients underwent hysterectomy at the time of the sacropexy (65.4% outpatient vs 73.3% admitted, p = .08). Concomitant apical prolapse repair was more common in the outpatient group (98.1% vs 85%, p = .02). The proportion of outpatient procedures increased from 17% in 2013 to a peak of 70% in 2016. Operating room time was shorter for the outpatient cohort (103.9 minutes vs 115.5 minutes, p = .04), but other perioperative outcomes were similar. There were no intraoperative complications. The numbers of postoperative complications, readmission, and reoperations were low and similar between outpatient and admitted cohorts. No factor was predictive of admission on regression analysis.

Laparoscopic apical prolapse repair with concomitant vaginal repairs can be performed safely as an outpatient procedure. A unique team approach may foster a shorter, more efficient procedure without compromising short-term outcomes.