Posthysterectomy vaginal vault prolapse: primary repair in 693 patients

To examine the results of primary repair of posthysterectomy vaginal vault prolapse in a current, large series of patients with long-term follow-up.

From January 1976 to December 1987, 693 patients underwent primary repair of vault prolapse at the Mayo Clinic. The Mayo culdoplasty technique was used in 95% of these patients. Patients were followed up by reference to their Mayo Clinic medical records, a specifically designed questionnaire, and pelvic examination in a subgroup of patients.

The median age at operation was 66 years. Abdominal hysterectomy had been performed on 49.5% of patients and vaginal hysterectomy on 43.4% (hysterectomy type was not documented on 7.1%). The median number of years to vault prolapse repair after hysterectomy was 15.8 (range 0.4-48.4). Information about prolapse after primary repair was available for 504 patients (72.7%) and 80 had evidence or complaint (bulge, protrusion) of recurrent prolapse. Thirty-six of 693 patients (5.2%) had subsequent prolapse repair. Eighty-two percent of patients indicated satisfaction with the result. Complications of operation included entry into the bladder or rectum (2.3% of patients), vault hematoma (1.3%), cuff infection (0.6%), and ureteral complications (0.6%). The number of patients presenting for vault prolapse repair increased during the study interval.

The Mayo culdoplasty can be performed with minimal morbidity. It achieved an anatomic restoration of upper vaginal support in a high percentage of patients with long-term follow-up.