Abstract
Introduction and hypothesis
This article aims to evaluate how constipation symptoms change after pelvic reconstructive surgery using the Patient Assessment of Constipation Symptom Questionnaire (PAC-SYM). Our primary hypothesis was that constipation would improve after surgery.
Methods
Ninety-four subjects completed the PAC-SYM before and 7 weeks after pelvic reconstructive surgery from 2007 through 2009 inclusive. PAC-SYM scores were compared for the cohort before and 7 weeks post-surgery and based on route of surgery: vaginal or abdominal.
Results
Baseline PAC-SYM scores between those undergoing abdominal or vaginal reconstructive surgery were not significantly different (0.76 versus 0.83, respectively; p = 0.586). Subjects in the vaginal surgery group had a significant reduction in PAC-SYM scores, 0.83 to 0.62 (p = 0.049). After abdominal surgery, subjects had an increase in abdominal subscale scores, 0.69 to 1.03 (p = 0.012).
Conclusions
Women undergoing vaginal prolapse surgery may have a short-term improvement in constipation symptoms, while those undergoing abdominal surgery have worsening of abdominal constipation symptoms.
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Acknowledgement
This study was supported by the Hartford Hospital Small Grant Initiative, #123542.
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Appendix
Appendix
PAC-SYM©
Patient Assessment of Constipation©
This questionnaire asks you about your constipation in the past 2 weeks. Answer each question according to your symptoms, as accurately as possible. There are no right or wrong answers.
For each symptom below, please indicate how severe your symptoms have been during the past 2 weeks. If you have not had the symptom during the past 2 weeks, check 0. If the symptom seemed mild, check 1. If the symptom seemed moderate, check 2. If the symptom seemed severe, check 3. If the symptom seemed very severe, check 4. Please be sure to answer every question.
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Patel, M., O’Sullivan, D.M. & LaSala, C.A. Constipation symptoms before and after vaginal and abdominal pelvic reconstructive surgery. Int Urogynecol J 22, 1413–1419 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00192-011-1489-x
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00192-011-1489-x