Objective: To evaluate the impact of colpocleisis on body image, regret, satisfaction, and pelvic floor symptoms 24 weeks after surgery.
Methods: This was a prospective multicenter study conducted through the Society of Gynecologic Surgeons' Fellows' Pelvic Research Network with 7 sites across the United States. Women undergoing colpocleisis were enrolled. Outcomes assessed at 24 weeks included body image, regret, satisfaction, and pelvic floor symptoms. The Pelvic Floor Impact Questionnaire, Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory, the modified Body Image Scale, the Decision Regret Scale, and the Satisfaction with Decision Scale were administered. A sample size of 88 subjects was calculated for a significant change in the Body Image Scale.
Results: Ninety subjects were enrolled. Two did not undergo surgery, and 7 were deceased at the time of 24-week follow-up. Significant improvements in all pelvic floor symptoms were noted 6 weeks postoperatively, and 24-week data showed sustained improvement. In addition, mean and total body image scores showed lasting significant improvement when compared with preoperative scores (P < 0.001 and P < 0.001, respectively). Finally, patients continued to be satisfied with their decision to undergo surgery (mean [SD] 4.6, [0.6]) and had a very low level of regret regarding this decision (mean [SD], 1.5 [0.7]).
Conclusions: Colpocleisis is a highly effective surgical treatment option for pelvic organ prolapse with improvements in both pelvic floor symptoms and body image. Furthermore, high satisfaction and low regret seen 24 weeks after surgery provide reassurance that colpocleisis is an excellent option for appropriate patients.