[Pelvic organ prolapse surgery in women aged more than 70 years: a literature review].
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of the study was to report surgical techniques for pelvic organ prolapse and complications in women aged more than 70 years.


METHODS
A Medline search was made for articles indexed between 2000 and 2006 and dealing with operative techniques for pelvic organ prolapse. Seven articles in English and French were included.


RESULTS
Three hundred and ninety-four women were treated for pelvic organ prolapse. Transvaginal repairs were reported in 97% (384 women). Vaginal function was preserved in 57% (207 women) and vaginal obliteration techniques represented 40% (145 women) of all prolapse surgery. The death rate was 1% (four deaths). The blood transfusion rate was 12%. The mean complication rate was 3.8% with cardiovascular prevalence (seven pulmonary embolisms, two myocardial infarctions, two congestive heart failures, one prolonged angina, two transient arrhythmias, one cerebrovascular accident, one acute renal failure). The temporospatial disorientation rate was 4.6%.


CONCLUSIONS
Vaginal hysterectomy with colpo-perineorrhaphy and sacrospinous ligament fixation are alternative procedures instead of colpocleisis to treat pelvic organ prolapse in women aged more than 70 years. For all pelvic prolapse surgery, the overall perioperative morbidity and mortality rate in elderly women are acceptable. This surgery needs a good collaboration between anesthetist and surgeon team and vigilance during postoperative follow-up.
Menard
J-P
JP
Service de gynécologie-obstétrique, hôpital La Conception, 147, boulevard Baille, 13005 Marseille, France.
Mulfinger
C
C
Estrade
J-P
JP
Agostini
A
A
Blanc
B
B
D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D013509:Gynecologic Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014596:Uterine Prolapse / Q000601:surgery*