title: Retrospective analysis of 711 patients operated on for pelvic relaxation in 1983-1989.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To analyze which factors, including gynecological surgery in particular, contribute to the occurrence of pelvic relaxation.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective analysis of 711 consecutive patients treated surgically for pelvic relaxation from 1983 to 1989 at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of Turku University Central Hospital was undertaken.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The patients who underwent surgery for recurrent pelvic relaxation were significantly older (66.8 vs. 62.1 years) and suffered significantly less (20% vs. 41%) from urinary stress incontinence than patients undergoing primary surgery for pelvic relaxation. Anterior vaginal segment relaxation (i.e. cysto- and urethrocele) was common in patients undergoing the initial operation (n = 684), and posterior vaginal segment relaxation (i.e. rectocele and perineal laceration) in recurrent operations (n = 58). Of the patients studied, 87 had pelvic relaxation, which had developed after partial (n = 46), total abdominal (n = 16) or vaginal (n = 25) hysterectomy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Care must be taken in the treatment of the posterior vaginal segment during the initial operation for pelvic relaxation in order to avoid late sequelae. Moreover, when the removal of the uterus is planned, the matter of a stable vaginal vault must be taken into account especially when partial hysterectomy should be performed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Central Hospital of Turku, Finland.
authors.forename: H S
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Virtanen
authors.forename: J I
authors.initials: JI
authors.lastname: Mäkinen
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007044:Hysterectomy / Q000009:adverse effects; D008875:Middle Aged; D012008:Recurrence; D012086:Reoperation; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014596:Uterine Prolapse / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*