Five-year risk of repeat SUI, POP surgery less than 10 percent

(HealthDay)—For women undergoing surgery for stress urinary incontinence (SUI) and pelvic organ prolapse (POP), the risk of repeat procedures is less than 10 percent, with increased risks for older women and initial POP surgery, according to a study published in the June issue of Obstetrics & Gynecology.

Jennifer M. Wu, M.D., M.P.H., from the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, and colleagues conducted a retrospective cohort study using a nationwide database to examine the five-year risk and timing of repeat SUI and POP procedures among women aged 18 to 84 years. The index procedures were identified for SUI or POP after at least three years of continuous enrollment without a prior procedure. Based on the index procedure, women were defined as: SUI surgery only (48,196 women), POP surgery only (49,120 women), and both SUI and POP surgery (40,687 women).

The researchers found that after any index procedure, the overall cumulative incidence of a subsequent SUI or POP surgery within five years was 7.8 and 9.9 percent for women younger than 65 years and age 65 years or older, respectively. Lower cumulative incidence was seen if the initial surgery was SUI only, while cumulative incidence was higher if an initial POP procedure was performed (POP only or SUI and POP).

"The five-year risk of undergoing a repeat SUI or POP surgery was less than 10 percent with higher risks for women 65 years or older and for those who underwent an initial POP surgery," the authors write.

One author disclosed financial ties to Pelvalon and Boston Scientific.