Introduction and hypothesis: This article aims to evaluate how constipation symptoms change after pelvic reconstructive surgery using the Patient Assessment of Constipation Symptom Questionnaire (PAC-SYM). Our primary hypothesis was that constipation would improve after surgery.
Methods: Ninety-four subjects completed the PAC-SYM before and 7 weeks after pelvic reconstructive surgery from 2007 through 2009 inclusive. PAC-SYM scores were compared for the cohort before and 7 weeks post-surgery and based on route of surgery: vaginal or abdominal.
Results: Baseline PAC-SYM scores between those undergoing abdominal or vaginal reconstructive surgery were not significantly different (0.76 versus 0.83, respectively; p = 0.586). Subjects in the vaginal surgery group had a significant reduction in PAC-SYM scores, 0.83 to 0.62 (p = 0.049). After abdominal surgery, subjects had an increase in abdominal subscale scores, 0.69 to 1.03 (p = 0.012).
Conclusions: Women undergoing vaginal prolapse surgery may have a short-term improvement in constipation symptoms, while those undergoing abdominal surgery have worsening of abdominal constipation symptoms.