Results of sacrospinous ligament fixation using conventional instruments for symptomatic stage 2 and 3 apical prolapse over 3 years.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the long-term efficacy and quality of life concerning sacrospinous ligament fixation (SSLF) using conventional instruments for Chinese women with symptomatic stage 2 and 3 apical prolapse. METHODS: This single-arm prospective cohort study was conducted at our hospital between October 2011 and December 2018. Eligible participants were followed up over 3 years after surgery. The primary surgical outcome was composite surgical failure. Secondary outcomes included rate of satisfaction, quality of life (QoL) scores, and long-term complications. RESULTS: Fifty-nine patients were enrolled (mean age 57.1 years), of whom 55 (93.22%) completed the 3-year follow up. At year 3, the composite failure rate was 21.34% (95% confidence interval [CI] 9.30%-31.79%), and satisfaction rate was 81.40% (95% CI 66.09%-91.08%). Right thigh pain and de novo dyspareunia occurred in 1.8% and 14.6% patients after year 1, respectively, but at year 3 there were no complications. Lower urinary tract symptoms were present in 5.5% of patients. Improvement was found in urinary symptoms and prolapse symptoms, but sexual function showed no significant change. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with results at year 1, complication rates of SSLF decreased at year 3. The composite failure rate was relatively low and satisfaction rate was relatively high at year 3. Prolapse and urinary symptoms improved significantly after surgery.