Obliterative LeFort colpocleisis for pelvic organ prolapse in elderly women aged 70 years and over

ObjectiveTreatment of genital prolapse in elderly women is challenging. The aim of this study was to evaluate the long-term postoperative patient satisfaction and objective improvement in women aged 70 years and over with high stages of pelvic organ prolapse treated with obliterative LeFort colpocleisis.Materials and methodsFrom January 2003 to December 2013, female patients aged 70 years and over who underwent colpocleisis surgery were included in this study. We reviewed the charts for preoperative and postoperative medical history, severity of prolapse, urodynamic studies, and early postoperative complications related to this procedure in these patients. Subjective outcomes were assessed by a nursing coordinator who interviewed patients by telephone in June 2014.ResultsColpocleisis was performed in 22 elderly patients and 59% patients were of advanced age (≥ 80 years). The mean postoperative follow-up duration was 48.1 months (range, 7–118) months. Six patients (27.3%) had died of medical problems at the time of the telephone interview. Fourteen patients (87.5%) reported a successful outcome after the operation and two patients (12.5%) reported improvement. For present satisfaction, 93.8% of patients reported that they were satisfied.ConclusionColpocleisis should be considered as one of the surgical options for treating advanced pelvic organ prolapse in elderly patients who do not wish to preserve vaginal function for sexual intercourse.