title: Prospective evaluation of outcome of vaginal pessaries versus surgery in women with symptomatic pelvic organ prolapse.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study is to evaluate and compare the effectiveness of pessaries and surgery in women with symptomatic pelvic organ prolapse.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 554 women with symptomatic pelvic organ prolapse (POP) were recruited and treated with either a vaginal pessary (n = 359) or surgery (n = 195). Using the validated Sheffield POP questionnaire, outcomes were evaluated and then compared at 1 year.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At 1 year, the only significant difference between the two groups was increased frequency of intercourse in the surgery group (54% vs 46%; p = 0.028), which was not significant when controlled for age. There was a statistically significant improvement in prolapse, urinary, bowel, and sexual function in both pessary users and those treated surgically.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  One year after treatment, women with POP report similar improvement in urinary, bowel, sexual function, and quality of life parameters when treated with pessary or surgical correction.
authors.affiliation: Mayday University Hospital, London Road, Croydon, Surrey CR7 7YE, UK.
authors.forename: Zeelha
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Abdool
authors.forename: Ranee
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Thakar
authors.forename: Abdul H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Sultan
authors.forename: Reeba S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Oliver
mesh_terms: D003075:Coitus / Q000502:physiology; D003672:Defecation / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D013509:Gynecologic Surgical Procedures; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D056887:Pelvic Organ Prolapse / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D010570:Pessaries; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014554:Urination / Q000502:physiology