Wide genital hiatus is a risk factor for recurrence following anterior vaginal repair

OBJECTIVE: To determine if a wide genital hiatus is a risk factor for recurrence of anterior vaginal wall prolapse following anterior vaginal repair. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was performed on patients who had undergone an anterior vaginal wall repair. Patients were placed into 1 of 2 groups: wide genital hiatus (> or =5 cm) or normal genital hiatus (<5 cm). The wide genital hiatus group (n=35) was compared with the normal genital hiatus group (n=30) for surgical failure. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between the 2 groups in demographic data, additional operative procedures, or apical suspensions. The rate of postoperative anterior vaginal wall prolapse was greater in patients with a wide genital hiatus compared with those with a normal genital hiatus (34.3% vs 10% respectively; odds ratio 4.7 [95% confidence interval, 1.0-24.1]; P=0.02). CONCLUSION: The rate of recurrent anterior vaginal wall prolapse is higher in patients with a wide genital hiatus.