Ring pessary for all pelvic organ prolapse

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate the risk factors of unsuccessful fitting of ring pessary in pelvic organ prolapse (POP), continuation rate, and adverse events.

Methods: The ring pessary was offered to 100 symptomatic POP patients. POP was staged according to Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification (POP-Q) system. A successful fitting was defined as when patients continued pessary use for more than 2 weeks. Adverse events were evaluated in patients who had a successful fitting.

Results: Most patients (71%) were in POP-Q stage III-IV and 77 patients were fitted at the initial visit. Successful fitting was reported in 62 patients (62%). However, 52 patients (52%) continued to use the pessary at 13 months median follow-up. The most common reason for discontinuation was frequent pessary expulsion. Short vaginal length ≤ 6 cm and wide introitus > 4 fingerbreadths were the significant risk factors for unsuccessful fitting. New onset of stress urinary incontinence (SUI) developed in 28.2% of patients. One third and 21% of patients had vaginal discharge and vaginal erosion, respectively. Only half of the patients could manage the pessary either by themselves or with their caregivers.

Conclusion: The ring pessary fitting can be attempted in all POP cases irrespective of stage. Short vaginal length <6 cm and wide introitus >4 fingerbreadths were the risk factors for unsuccessful fitting. It has an acceptable continuation rate and manageable adverse events. The self-care of pessary is an important strategy to minimize adverse events.