Surgical treatment for pelvic organ prolapse in elderly women

The objective was to analyse the feasibility, safety and outcome of surgical treatment for pelvic organ prolapse in women ≥ 65 years of age. A single-centre retrospective, cohort study was performed through a medical records review and telephone interview. Women ≥ 65 years of age, who underwent a surgical operation for pelvic organ prolapse, were considered. Overall, 305 women were included. The following procedures (alone or in combination) were performed: 168 (52.1%) vaginal hysterectomy; 264 (81.9%) anterior colporrhaphy; 261 (81.0%) posterior colpoperineorrhaphy and 45 (13.8%) Manchester operation. There were two cases of bladder injury (0.6%) and two cases of vaginal haematoma (0.6%). Urinary retention and febrile morbidity were found in 33 (10.8%) and 35 (11.5%) of women, respectively. Clinical follow-up, median 10 months, showed that 178 of 200 (89.0%) women had anatomical success. Traditional reconstructive surgical operation for pelvic organ prolapse is a viable treatment option in elderly women.