Utilization of surgical procedures for pelvic organ prolapse: a population-based study in Olmsted County, Minnesota, 1965-2002.

To describe trends in the utilization of surgical procedures for pelvic organ prolapse among women in Olmsted County, MN, we retrospectively identified all county residents undergoing pelvic organ prolapse repair from January 1, 1965 through December 31, 2002. From 1965 to 2002, 3,813 women had pelvic organ prolapse surgeries: 3,126 had hysterectomy combined with pelvic floor repair (PFR) procedures and 687 had PFR alone. The age-adjusted utilization of hysterectomy plus PFR and of PFR alone decreased by 62% (P < 0.001) and 32% (P = 0.02), respectively. In both groups, utilization decreased in all age groups over time except in women aged 80 years and older undergoing hysterectomy plus PFR and women aged 70 years and older undergoing PFR only. The most common indication for PFR was uterovaginal prolapse. Among women in the community, the rate of utilization and age distribution of pelvic organ prolapse surgery changed substantially between 1965 and 2002.

Incidence of pelvic floor repair after hysterectomy: A population-based cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to assess the incidence of and risk factors for pelvic floor repair (PFR) procedures after hysterectomy. STUDY DESIGN: Using the Rochester Epidemiology Project database, we tracked the incidence of PFRs through June 2006 among 8220 Olmsted County, MN, women who had a hysterectomy for benign indications between 1965 and 2002. RESULTS: The cumulative incidence of PFR after hysterectomy was 5.1% by 30 years. This risk was not influenced by age at hysterectomy or calendar period. Future PFR was more frequently required in women who had prolapse, whether they underwent a hysterectomy alone (eg, vaginal [hazard ratio (HR) 4.3; 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.5 to 7.3], abdominal [HR 3.9; 95% CI 1.9 to 8.0]) or a hysterectomy and PFR (ie, vaginal [HR 1.9; 95% CI 1.3 to 2.7] or abdominal [HR 2.9; 95% CI 1.5 to 5.5]). CONCLUSION: Compared with women without prolapse, women who had a hysterectomy for prolapse were at increased risk for subsequent PFR.

Decreasing utilization of hysterectomy: a population-based study in Olmsted County, Minnesota, 1965-2002.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to assess temporal trends for hysterectomy among Olmsted County, Minnesota women. STUDY DESIGN: Using the Rochester Epidemiology Project database, we identified all county residents undergoing a hysterectomy in 1965-2002. Temporal changes in the utilization (incidence) rate, type, diagnostic indications, and age at surgery were assessed. RESULTS: Between 1965 and 2002, 6152 women had a hysterectomy alone, whereas 3126 women had, in addition, a pelvic floor repair; the age-adjusted utilization rate for hysterectomy alone and for combined procedures declined (P < .0001) by 13% and 63%, respectively. Except for subjects aged 75-85 years, this decline affected every age group. The distribution of vaginal (56%) and abdominal (44%) procedures differed across indications. Uterine leiomyomata, precancerous conditions, and genital prolapse accounted for 28%, 23%, and 12% of all procedures, respectively. CONCLUSION: Among community women, the utilization rate, age distribution, and indications for a hysterectomy changed substantially between 1965 and 2002.

Influence of hysterectomy on long-term fracture risk.

OBJECTIVE: To assess long-term fracture risk after hysterectomy, with or without oophorectomy. DESIGN: Population-based, cohort study. SETTING: Olmsted County, Minnesota. PATIENT(S): Women residing in Olmsted County (n = 9,258) who underwent hysterectomy in 1965-2002, compared to an equal number of age- and sex-matched community controls. INTERVENTION(S): Observational study of the effect of hysterectomy for various indications on subsequent fractures. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Fractures of any type, and at osteoporotic sites (e.g., hip, spine, or wrist) alone, as assessed by electronic review of inpatient and outpatient diagnoses in the community. RESULT(S): Compared with controls, there was a significant increase (hazard ratio [HR], 1.21; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.13-1.29) in overall fracture risk among the women with a hysterectomy, but osteoporotic fracture risk was not elevated (HR, 1.09; 95% CI, 0.98-1.22). Most hysterectomy indications were associated with fractures generally, although these were not often statistically significant. Only operations for a uterine prolapse were associated with osteoporotic fractures (HR, 1.33; 95% CI, 1.01-1.74). Oophorectomy was not an independent predictor of fracture risk (HR, 1.0; 95% CI, 0.98-1.15). CONCLUSION(S): Hysterectomy does not appear to pose much long-term risk for fractures, but the association of fractures with surgery for uterine prolapse deserves further attention.

Vaginal erosion, sinus formation, and ischiorectal abscess following transobturator tape: ObTape implantation.

A 50-year-old woman was referred for evaluation with an 8-month history of intermittent malodorous vaginal discharge initially noted 2 months after placement of a transobturator tape for stress urinary incontinence. Evaluation revealed erosion of the tape through the vaginal wall with a sinus tract associated with an ischiorectal abscess. Surgical removal of the tape with excision of the sinus tract, drain placement, and antibiotic therapy was needed for complete resolution of the symptoms. Infectious complications need to be considered when counseling women prior to synthetic sling placement. A high index of suspicion, meticulous sub- and periurethral inspection, along with aggressive surgical management are required to treat an infected draining abscess following synthetic transobturator sling placement.