Vaginal Prolapse Recurrence After Uterosacral Ligament Suspension in Normal-Weight Compared With Overweight and Obese Women

OBJECTIVE: To compare recurrent prolapse after vaginal uterosacral ligament suspension in normal-weight compared with overweight or obese women. METHODS: We performed a retrospective cohort study of the risk of recurrent prolapse after uterosacral ligament suspension in normal-weight compared with overweight or obese women at our institution from December 1, 1996, through June 30, 2011. Women with fewer than 6 months of follow-up and those with a prior vault suspension were excluded. Our primary outcome was a composite measure defined as anterior, posterior, or apical prolapse recurrence extending beyond the hymen or repeat treatment for prolapse with surgery or a pessary in women undergoing uterosacral ligament suspension and other vaginal repairs. RESULTS: We included 219 participants (81 [37%] normal-weight and 138 [63%] overweight or obese women). There was no difference in median follow-up (14 months; interquartile range 8.5-26.5 months] in the normal-weight compared with 13 months [interquartile range 9.0-29.0 months] in the overweight or obese women, P=.98). Prolapse recurred in 22.2% (n=18) of the normal-weight group and 26.1% (n=36) of the overweight or obese group (P=.52). Surgery for recurrent prolapse was performed in 16.0% (n=13) of the normal-weight women and in 14.5% (n=20) of the overweight or obese women (P=.76). The most common site of recurrence was the anterior compartment (17.4% [n=38]) compared with the apical compartment (8.7% [n=19]) or posterior compartment (6.8% [n=15]) with no significant difference between cohorts. CONCLUSIONS: After uterosacral ligament suspension, overweight or obese women have similar prolapse recurrence compared with normal-weight women. Anterior prolapse is the most common site of recurrence after uterosacral ligament suspension.