Abstract
Objectives
To assess whether advanced age is a risk factor for complications following pelvic organ prolapse (POP) repair surgeries using the Clavien-Dindo classification system.
Methods
In this retrospective cohort study, 260 women who had undergone POP repair surgery at the Soroka University Medical Center (SUMC) between the years 2014–2019 were included. A univariate analysis was conducted to compare the demographical, clinical, obstetrical and operative characteristics of patients by age group (younger or older than 70 years). We performed a similar analysis to assess for the possible association between several variables and post-operative complications. Variables that were found to be associated with post-operative complications (P < 0.2) were included in a multivariate analysis along with advanced age.
Results
During the 12 months follow-up period, more than half of the women had experienced at least one post-operative complication. Minor complications (grades 1–2 according to the Clavian-Dindo classification system) were the most common. One woman had died during the follow-up period, and none had experienced organ failure (grade 4). Hysterectomy, as part of POP surgery, was found to be significantly associated with post-operative complications. Additionally, grandmultiparity (> 5 births) showed a tendency towards an increased risk for post-operative complications, however this reached only borderline significance. We found no association between advanced age and post-operative complications.
Conclusions
POP repair surgeries are safe for women of all ages. Major complications (grades 3–5) are rare in all age groups. Although advanced age was associated with a higher prevalence of comorbidity and a higher grade of prolapse, no significant difference in the post-operative complications was found between age groups. Concomitant hysterectomy at the time of POP repair surgery is a risk factor for post-operative complications.
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GS: Protocol development, Data collection and management, Data analysis, Manuscript writing. MR: Protocol development, Data collection, Data analysis. SS: Data collection, Manuscript editing. ISV: Protocol development, Data analysis, Manuscript editing. AYW: Protocol development, Manuscript editing. All authors commented on previous versions of the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.
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The SUMC Ethics Committee approved the study. Approval number 0033-20-SOR.
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Goni, S., Matan, R., Shanny, S. et al. The effect of advanced age on peri- and post-operative complications following pelvic floor repair surgeries. Arch Gynecol Obstet 309, 2247–2252 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-024-07437-x
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-024-07437-x