Demographic and Outcome Data of Women Undergoing Bilateral Sacrospinous Ligament Fixation [372

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: This study presents demographic, intraoperative, and short- and long-term outcome data in a large group of women undergoing bilateral sacrospinous ligament fixation. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective chart review of 363 women who were treated with bilateral sacrospinous ligament fixation between 1994 and 2011. Demographic, intraoperative, and short-term outcome data were abstracted. Long-term postoperative outcome data were obtained from phone interviews. Comparative analyses were computed using χ2 or Fisher's exact tests. RESULTS: Demographic data were similar among age groups. Patients younger than 60 years old had shorter length of hospital stay. There were no differences in mean operative time, estimated blood loss, fever, transfusion, intraoperative complications, discharge with a catheter, or development of urinary tract infection (UTI) between age groups. Patients who were discharged with a catheter were two times more likely to develop a UTI. Those who developed a UTI were more likely to develop fever. Women who did not have additional surgery at time of sacrospinous ligament fixation were less likely to be discharged home with a catheter. Short-term readmission risk was 3.5 times greater in women older than 80 years of age. There were no differences in long-term outcomes between the various age groups. There were no differences in short- or long-term postoperative outcomes in patients who had graft placed at the time of surgery. CONCLUSION: Bilateral sacrospinous ligament fixation is associated with few intraoperative and short-term postoperative complications. Bilateral sacrospinous ligament fixation is a safe surgical alternative in the treatment of pelvic organ prolapse in women younger than 80 years of age. Further study is needed on long-term outcomes.