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. 2015 Oct;26(10):1453-8.
doi: 10.1007/s00192-015-2697-6. Epub 2015 Jun 11.

A nationwide survey concerning practices in pessary use for pelvic organ prolapse in The Netherlands: identifying needs for further research

Joost Velzel  1   2 , Jan Paul Roovers  3 , C H Van der Vaart  4 , Bart Broekman  5 , Astrid Vollebregt  6 , Robert Hakvoort  6
Affiliations

A nationwide survey concerning practices in pessary use for pelvic organ prolapse in The Netherlands: identifying needs for further research

Joost Velzel et al. Int Urogynecol J. 2015 Oct.

Abstract

Introduction and hypothesis: To identify practice variation in management of patients with a vaginal pessary for pelvic organ prolapse (POP).

Methods: A nationwide survey was sent to all Dutch gynecologists with a special interest in urogynecology.

Results: The response rate was 59 %. Of the respondents, 13 % had a written protocol for pessary treatment in their department. Pessary treatment was proposed by 69 % of respondents as a treatment option. Counseling about side effects varied. All respondents provided information concerning the possibility of serious vaginal discharge. Concerning this side effect, 15 % of the respondents stated that it occurs in 5 - 20 % of patients, 27 % that it occurs in 20 - 40 % of patients, and 57 % that it occurs in more than 40 % of patients. Another item concerned counseling for the likelihood of vaginal blood loss. All respondents provided information concerning the possibility of vaginal blood loss. Concerning this side effect, 53 % of the respondents stated that it occurs in 5 - 20 % of patients, 33 % that it occurs in 20 - 40 %, and 14 % that it occurs in more than 40 % of patients. Follow-up after initial placement was done by 69 % of the respondents at 2 - 6 weeks, by 2 % at 8 weeks, and by 29 % at 12 weeks or more. Most (98 %) of the respondents extended the interval between visits when the patient had no complaints, and 96 % of the respondents reported that they routinely instruct patients about self-management.

Conclusions: Pessaries are suggested as a treatment option by a majority of gynecologists, but practice varies widely. We consider that the variation in practice is due to a lack of available protocols and lack of evidence.

Keywords: Pessary; Prolapse; Prolapse management; Survey.

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