Surgical treatment of pelvic organ prolapse using colpocleisis: A case series

Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) is a common condition. With increasing lifespan and emphasis on quality of life worldwide, older women with POP may prefer surgical treatment, including colpocleisis. We reviewed the outcome of POP in a case series of colpocleisis.

This study was conducted between 2006 and 2011. Patients had confirmed POP on examination and underwent partial and total colpocleisis. We compared patients' demographic characteristics, POP severity and surgical outcomes.

In total, 55 patients were included. The patients were aged 78.9 + 6.7 years and had body mass index (BMI) of 26.9 ± 4.2. Among the total, 44 (80%) and 11 patients (20%) underwent partial and total colpocleisis respectively. Patients undergoing partial colpocleisis had procidentia less often than those undergoing total colpocleisis (18% v 64%, p=0.01). Mean blood loss and operative time were 157.6 ml ± 119.0 and 65.1 ± 20.3 minutes respectively. Partial colpocleisis had less blood loss (mean 135.7 v 227.2 ml, p=0.02) and shorter operative time (mean 62.6 v 75.0 min, p=0.18).

Partial compared to total colpocleisis was associated with shorter operative time and less blood loss. Colpocleisis is a suitable surgical treatment for POP in elderly women who do not wish to preserve the vagina for sexual intercourse.