Colpocleisis as an obliterative surgery for pelvic organ prolapse: is it still a viable option in the twenty-first century? Narrative review

Abstract

Abstract Introduction and hypothesis The aims were to review the literature from the last two decades and analyze treatment efficacy and findings of the studies on colpocleisis. Methods A systematic search was conducted within the MEDLINE/PubMed and ClinicalTrials.gov databases, using the following keywords: pelvic organ prolapse (POP), colpocleisis, obliterative, and LeFort. All English full-text prospective and retrospective observational and interventional studies were included. Anatomical and subjective success, surgical techniques, concomitant procedures, complication rates, anesthesia methods, and decision regret were analyzed. Results A total of 237 papers were identified and 49 met the inclusion criteria. Mean patient age was 69.0 ± 8.0 to 84 ± 3.1. Over 90.2% of patients undergoing colpocleisis were diagnosed with POP stage ≥ 3. The follow-up ranged from 30 days to a median of 5 years. Anatomical success, defined as POP-Q stage ≤ 1 and no prolapse beyond the hymen, was achieved in 62.5 to 100% and 87.5 to 100% of all patients respectively. Subjective success ranged from 88% to 100%. Regret over the loss of coital ability ranged from 0% in many studies to 12.9%, general decision regret from 0% to 13.8%. After concomitant midurethral sling surgery, 86.8% to 94% of all patients were continent, with a 0–14% sling revision rate due to urinary retention. Urinary tract infection was the most common postoperative complication (4.3 to 9% confirmed with urine culture, 34.7% based on symptom definition). Bowel (0 to 2.7%) and urinary tract (0 to 9.1%) injuries were the consequences of concomitant procedures. The mortality rates were up to 1.3%. Conclusions Colpocleisis is a heterogeneous procedure, characterized by high subjective and objective success, low coital ability regret, and a low risk of complications.