PROJECT SUMMARY
Uterovaginal prolapse (UVP) is one of the most common conditions affecting women, with a 20% lifetime risk
of UVP corrective surgery. Surgeries performed for UVP include either a vaginal or abdominal approach, with
or without use of mesh, to correct defects in pelvic support. Accumulated evidence has shown that for post-
hysterectomy pelvic organ prolapse (POP) repair, the use of mesh yields superior patient outcomes compared
to vaginal repair without compromising patient safety. However, no high-quality data exists to help guide
patients and surgeons on the best option for treatment of UVP of the two most commonly performed
procedures: 1) vaginal hysterectomy with uterosacral ligament suspension (TVH+USLS) and 2) minimally
invasive hysterectomy with sacrocolpopexy (MI-SCH+SCP).
Furthermore, surgical decision making is based on studies which evaluate objective measures of success, with
the vast majority of seminal trials not taking into account patient-centered outcomes related to choosing a
surgery such as: time off work, return to normal activity, need for caregivers/support persons and patient
expectations for what constitutes successful surgery and improvement in quality of life. To fill this knowledge
gap, this multi-institutional comparative study between TVH+USLS and MI-SCH+SCP will have three specific
aims.
First, the study will evaluate 3-year surgical failure rates, assessed at 6-month intervals postoperatively for MI-
SCH+SCP compared to TVH+USLS; where surgical failure is defined as presence of at least one of the
following: 1) presence of vaginal prolapse defined as a lead point of prolapse beyond the hymen on exam, 2)
report of bothersome vaginal bulge symptoms irrespective of prolapse stage, or 3) retreatment of symptomatic
prolapse with pessary, or surgery. Second, the study will compare outcomes related to perioperative care and
recovery including short-term outcomes: post-operative pain, opioid analgesia use, nausea, fatigue, surgical
morbidity and long-term outcomes related to body image, sexual, bowel and bladder function assessed
immediate postoperatively at 1 month, and at 6 month intervals thereafter. Finally, the study will involve
qualitative interviews of a sub-set of women conducted prior to surgery, and at 3 months and 24 months after
surgery. The results of these interviews will be incorporated with objective outcomes to develop a
comprehensive, patient-centered approach to the treatment of pelvic organ prolapse.
