Risk factors for the recurrence of pelvic organ prolapse after vaginal surgery: a review at 5 years after surgery

The objective of this study was to determine the factors associated with the anatomic and functional recurrence of prolapse. An examination was performed in 134 of the 228 patients who underwent primary vaginal surgery for prolapse of the pelvic organs (POP) between 2000 and 2001. Anatomical recurrence of the prolapse was established by pelvic examination using the pelvic organ prolapse quantification (POPQ) staging system. Functional results were obtained by interview with the patients. Descriptive statistical analyses and multivariate logistic regression were performed to determine the factors associated with recurrence. Five years after surgery, 42 women (31.3%) presented anatomical recurrence of the prolapse (grade ≥ II), and only 10 of the 134 (7.4%) had prolapse-related symptoms. Those with high body weight (>65 kg) and younger women (<60 years) were associated with an increase in the risk for both anatomical and functional recurrence. Advanced preoperative prolapse (grade III–IV) of any compartment was associated with anatomical failure but not with symptomatic recurrence. There was a poor correlation between anatomical and symptomatic recurrence. Younger women and those with a higher body weight are more likely to experience recurrent prolapse after vaginal repair.