Subjective Long-Term Outcomes After Vaginal Native Tissue Hysteropexy: Cohort Study

There are still doubts about long-term satisfaction rates of native tissue uterine preserving surgical techniques for pelvic organ prolapse.

The objective of this study was to compare long-term subjective success rates and satisfaction rates between vaginal sacrospinous hysteropexy (SSHP) and vaginal hysterectomy with uterosacral ligament suspension (VH-USLS).

This was a retrospective single-center, observational matched cohort study in women receiving either SSHP or VH-USLS between 2004 and 2021. Primary outcome was overall subjective success (combined outcome of absence of bulge nor retreatment, and satisfaction with operation) at least 12 months after surgery. Satisfaction with the operation was defined as a combined Patient Global Impression of Improvement rating ≤ 2 and a patient satisfaction score ≥7.

Of 583 patients, 192 patients could be matched (SSHP, 96; VH-USLS, 96), with 55% (SSHP, 60; VH-USLS, 45) participating at the telephone interview. Mean follow-up time was 77 months for VH-USLS, and 36 months for SSHP, respectively. No difference in overall subjective success rates was found between the groups (45% VH-USLS and 51% SSHP; P = 0.54). Overall satisfaction was similar between both groups (70% vs 71%, P = 0.90). Logistic regression found no influence of duration of follow-up and the overall subjective success rate. Both procedures would be recommended to a relative or friend by a large majority of patients (88% vs 85%, P = 0.761). Operative time and hospitalization time were significantly shorter in the SSHP group. No serious complications were reported.

Overall success rates did not differ between both procedures after at least 1 year of follow-up with relatively high satisfaction rates. Sacrospinous hysteropexy had shorter operative time and shorter duration of hospitalization.