Pessary treatment of pelvic relaxation: factors affecting successful fitting and continued use.
OBJECTIVE
The aims of this study were to determine predictors of successful pessary fitting and continued pessary use in patients with pelvic relaxation.


METHODS
Retrospective observational study.


METHODS
The medical records of 130 consecutive patients evaluated for pessary treatment of pelvic relaxation by a single specially trained nurse practitioner (CRJ) at Kaiser Foundation Hospital, Harbor City, Calif, between May 1, 1997, and June 30, 2002, were retrospectively reviewed.


METHODS
Voiding diaries, data collection sheet, and questionnaires.


METHODS
The medical records of the 130 patients were retrospectively reviewed, and data were recorded on data collection sheets. Patients using pessaries completed a questionnaire to assess treatment effectiveness.


RESULTS
Coexisting stress urinary incontinence and previous prolapse and cystocele/rectocele repairs were each found to be independent predictors of unsuccessful pessary fitting. Fifty percent of successfully fitted patients had discontinued pessary use by 24 months. Current pessary users were more likely to have undergone prior pelvic reconstructive surgery (37% vs 13%, P = .02), less likely to require a space-filling pessary (13% vs 37%, P = .03), and more likely to recommend pessary to their friends or family (87% vs 50%, P = .007) compared to patients who discontinued pessary use.


CONCLUSIONS
Prior pelvic reconstructive surgery is associated with an increased risk of unsuccessful pessary fitting; however, those patients who are successfully fitted tend to continue pessary use.
Nguyen
John N
JN
Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Kaiser Foundation Hospital, Bellflower, Calif., USA. John.N.Nguyen@kp.org
Jones
Chris R
CR
D000368:Aged; D052858:Cystocele / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D053208:Kaplan-Meier Estimate; D016015:Logistic Models; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D010349:Patient Compliance; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010570:Pessaries; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014596:Uterine Prolapse / Q000628:therapy*