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

ObjectiveTo determine if a wide genital hiatus is a risk factor for recurrence of anterior vaginal wall prolapse following anterior vaginal repair.MethodsA 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 (≥ 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.ResultsThere 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).ConclusionThe rate of recurrent anterior vaginal wall prolapse is higher in patients with a wide genital hiatus.