Long-term impact of abdominal sacral colpoperineopexy on symptoms of obstructed defecation.

OBJECTIVE

: To determine the long-term impact of abdominal sacral colpoperineopexy on symptoms of obstructed defecation.

METHODS

: This is a long-term retrospective cohort study. We included women who underwent abdominal sacral colpoperineopexy at our institution between 2001 and 2005. We compared preoperative and postoperative symptoms using the Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory Short Form 20. Postoperative status was assessed on a mailed postal questionnaire. Obstructed defecation was defined using items from the colorectal-anal obstructive subscale. We also assessed patient satisfaction. Descriptive statistics were computed using standard methods for mean, median and proportions.

RESULTS

: The study includes 38 women (21 completed both preoperative and postoperative questionnaires). Of 27 women completing the postoperative questionnaire at a median follow-up of 65 months (range 35-90 months), 23 (85%) reported obstructed defecatory symptoms and 12 (52%) reported bothersome symptoms. Sixty-three percent were satisfied with the results of their surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

: Abdominal sacral colpoperineopexy is unlikely to eliminate symptoms of obstructed defecation, although two-thirds of the participants remain satisfied with their surgery at 5 years.