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Clinical significance of obstructive defecatory symptoms in women with pelvic organ prolapse
Author(s) -
Saks Emily K.,
Harvie Heidi S.,
Asfaw Tirsit S.,
Arya Lily A.
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
international journal of gynecology and obstetrics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.895
H-Index - 97
eISSN - 1879-3479
pISSN - 0020-7292
DOI - 10.1016/j.ijgo.2010.06.025
Subject(s) - medicine , defecation , rectal prolapse , pelvic floor , obstructed defecation , pelvic floor dysfunction , surgery , rectum
Objective To determine whether the presence of obstructive defecatory symptoms is associated with the site and severity of pelvic organ prolapse. Methods: A cross‐sectional study was performed of women with pelvic organ prolapse of grade 2 or greater who had completed a validated questionnaire that surveyed pelvic floor symptoms. Associations between patient characteristics, site and severity of prolapse, and obstructive bowel symptoms were investigated. Results Among 260 women with pelvic organ prolapse, women with posterior vaginal wall prolapse were more likely to report obstructive symptoms, such as incomplete emptying (41% vs 21%, P = 0.003), straining at defecation (39% vs 19%, P = 0.002), and splinting with defecation (36% vs 14%, P < 0.001) compared with women without posterior vaginal wall prolapse. There was no significant association between any bowel symptom and increasing severity of prolapse. Conclusions Obstructive bowel symptoms are significantly associated with the presence of posterior vaginal wall prolapse, but not with the severity of prolapse.