Perioperative Outcomes of Colpocleisis at a Single Institution: A Retrospective Cohort Study

There is limited literature reporting perioperative outcomes among colpocleisis types.

This study aimed to describe perioperative outcomes after colpocleisis at a single institution.

Patients who underwent colpocleisis at our academic medical center between August 2009 and January 2019 were included. A retrospective chart review was performed. Descriptive and comparative statistics were generated.

A total of 367 of 409 eligible cases were included. Median follow-up was 44 weeks. There were no major complications or mortalities. Le Fort and posthysterectomy colpocleises were faster than transvaginal hysterectomy (TVH) with colpocleisis (95 and 98 minutes, respectively, vs 123 minutes; P = 0.00) with decreased estimated blood loss (100 and 100 mL, respectively, vs 200 mL; P = 0.000). Urinary tract infection and postoperative incomplete bladder emptying occurred in 22.6% and 13.4% of all patients, respectively, with no difference among the colpocleisis groups (P = 0.83 and P = 0.90). Patients who underwent concomitant sling were not at increased risk of postoperative incomplete bladder emptying (14.7% for Le Fort and 17.2% for total colpocleisis). Prolapse recurred after 0 Le Fort (0%), 6 posthysterectomy (3.7%), and 0 TVH with colpocleisis procedures (0%) (P = 0.02).

Colpocleisis is a safe procedure with a relatively low complication rate. Le Fort, posthysterectomy, and TVH with colpocleisis have similarly favorable safety profiles and very low overall recurrence rates. Concomitant TVH at the time of colpocleisis is associated with increased operative time and increased blood loss. Concomitant sling procedure at the time of colpocleisis does not increase the risk of short-term incomplete bladder emptying.