Long-term follow-up after laparoscopic reparation of pelvic organ prolapses in a large teaching gynecological center

Objective: To provide a description of laparoscopic approach to correct pelvic organ prolapses and evaluate the risk factors associated with the prolapse recurrence.

Study design: We retrospectively analyzed 418 patients with symptomatic pelvic organ prolapse who underwent a laparoscopic reparation at our university center from 2010 to 2020. Prolapses were assessed by Baden-Walker system (stage I-IV). The association between the potential prognostic factors and the recurrence was analyzed using Cox regression.

Results: We included 418 patients. Most patients (97.6%) had at least one vaginal delivery and 92 (22%) had a previous prolapse surgery. In 29.74% of cases levator ani muscle avulsion was observed. We performed a cervicosacropexy in 336 (80.38%) cases, a sacrohysteropexy in 13 (3.11%), and a sacrocolpopexy in 69 (16.5%). Also, concomitantly, 66 (15.79%) patients with stress and occult urinary incontinence underwent TOT surgery. Surgical complications were low (9.51%) and the majority were minor. Median follow-up was 37 months (IQR 10.5, 61.4 months), and the global recurrence rate was 9.57%. Only 4.06% of cases required reintervention. In Cox regression analysis only levator ani muscle avulsion remained as a recurrence-associated factor.

Conclusion: Our series is one of the largest and with the longest follow-up. Recurrence rate was low, and comparable to other large series. The only independent factor related to recurrence was the levator ani muscle avulsion.