Voiding function following prolapse surgery. Impact of estrogen replacement.

OBJECTIVE

To identify factors that would predict postoperative bladder function in postmenopausal women undergoing pelvic reconstructive surgery for pelvic organ prolapse.

STUDY

DESIGN

Demographic variables and urodynamic measures were analyzed in respect to the length of postoperative bladder catheterization.

RESULTS

Patient age, the presence of abnormal preoperative voiding patterns or elevated postvoid residuals, the route of surgical approach and the performance of urethropexy did not correlate significantly with the length of postoperative catheterization; only hormonal status did. Postmenopausal women using estrogen replacement therapy required significantly fewer days of catheterization than those who were not receiving estrogen replacement therapy.

CONCLUSION

The use of preoperative estrogen replacement therapy is associated with a reduction in the length of postoperative bladder catheterization in women undergoing pelvic reconstructive surgery for pelvic organ prolapse.