Assessment of quality of life in patients with Müllerian anomalies at a referral center in Colombia.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate quality of life in pediatric patients with Müllerian anomalies who underwent surgical intervention between 2018 and 2023.

METHODS

A retrospective descriptive case series was conducted including patients younger than 18 years who underwent surgical correction for Müllerian anomalies between 2018 and 2023. Quality of life was assessed using the validated Spanish version of the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL 4.0®) through telephone follow-up at least six months after surgery.

RESULTS

The most frequent anomalies were longitudinal vaginal septum and uterus didelphys (42.8%), while OHVIRA syndrome was least common (2.9%). Renal agenesis occurred in 28.6% of patients, predominantly right-sided (80%), and anorectal malformations (ARM) were associated in 57.1%. All underwent vaginoscopy and surgery, most commonly vaginal septum resection (40%). The PedsQL was applied by phone to all patients, with a mean follow-up of 48 months. Mean quality-of-life scores were good and comparable between parent-proxy and self-reports in the 13-18-year (73.34 vs. 77.51) and 8-12-year (68.75 vs. 72.82) groups. The highest scores were in the 2-4-year (80.43) and 5-7-year (79.71) groups. Emotional functioning consistently scored lowest, while physical and social functioning were highest. Currently, 25.7% of patients have initiated sexual activity, and two have had children-one by vaginal delivery and one by cesarean.

CONCLUSIONS

Pediatric patients with Müllerian anomalies demonstrated good postoperative quality of life, highlighting the positive impact of timely surgical management on physical, social, and reproductive outcomes.