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Updated: Jan 15, 2026
Author Spotlight: Advancing Pelvic Prolapse Treatment with a Non-Mesh Approach using Laparoscopic Pectopexy
Published on: October 25, 2024
Effects of Pelvic Organ Prolapse Surgery on Physical Function, Muscle Strength, and Skeletal Muscle Mass
Manami Kinjo1, Mitsuko Tamba2, Junji Kitamura3
1Department of Urology, Kyorin University School of Medicine, 6-20-2 Shinkawa Mitaka-shi, Tokyo, 181-8611, Japan. Kinjo_1702@yahoo.co.jp.
Introduction And Hypothesis:
We aimed to evaluate the effects of surgical pelvic organ prolapse (POP) repair on the physical performance, muscle strength, and skeletal muscle mass of patients.
Methods:
We prospectively evaluated the walking speed over 6 m (threshold < 1.0 m/s), grip strength (threshold < 18 kg), and skeletal muscle mass index (using bioelectrical impedance analysis; threshold < 5.7 kg/m2) before and 1 and 3 months after surgery in patients with symptomatic POP.
Results:
Between April 2021 and March 2023, a total of 102 patients were evaluated. Their median age was 74 (range: 53-89) years, 88 (86.3%) were ≥ 65 years old, 64 (62.7%) were diagnosed with POP-Q stage III, and 38 (37.3%) were diagnosed with POP-Q stage IV. Their mean hand grip strength was significantly better (20.3 ± 3.9 kg; p = 0.002) 3 months postoperatively than at baseline (19.3 ± 4.3 kg). Their median walking speed over 6 m was significantly better 1 (6.09, range: 4.42-10.84 s; p = 0.012) and 3 (5.98, range: 5.23-8.69 s; p = 0.005) months postoperatively than at baseline (6.51, range: 4.37-18.62 s). Their mean appendicular skeletal muscle mass index was significantly lower 1 month postoperatively (6.54 ± 0.53 kg/m2; p < 0.001) than at baseline (6.66 ± 0.53 kg/m2), but had recovered to the baseline value (6.64 ± 0.57 kg/m2; p = 0.351) after 3 months.
Conclusions:
The resolution of POP symptoms may contribute to the improvement in the daily activities of patients and lead to better physical performance and muscle strength.
