The Impact of Preoperative Pain on Outcomes After Vaginal Reconstructive Surgery and Perioperative Pelvic Floor Muscle Training

Abstract

Importance The impact of preoperative pain on outcomes can guide counseling. Objective The objective of this study was to compare outcomes after vaginal reconstructive surgery and pelvic muscle training between women with and without preoperative pain. Study Design This is a secondary analysis of the Operations and Pelvic Muscle Training in the Management of Apical Support Loss (OPTIMAL) trial, which randomized patients to a surgical intervention (sacrospinous ligament fixation versus uterosacral vaginal vault suspension) and a perioperative behavioral intervention (pelvic floor muscle training vs usual care). Preoperative pain was defined as a response of “5” or greater on the pain scale or answering “moderately” or “quite a bit” on the Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory question “Do you usually experience pain in the lower abdomen or genital area?” Results The OPTIMAL trial included 109 women with preoperative pain and 259 without pain. Although women with pain had worse pain scores and pelvic floor symptoms at baseline and postoperatively, they had greater improvement on pain scores (−2.3 ± 2.4 vs −0.2 ± 1.4, P < 0.001), as well as Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory and Pelvic Floor Impact Questionnaire scores. Among women with pain who underwent a sacrospinous ligament fixation, those who received pelvic floor muscle training had a greater reduction in pain compared with those in the usual care group (−3.0 ± 2.3 vs −1.3 ± 2.1, P = 0.008). Persistent or worsening pain was present at 24 months in 5 (16%) women with preoperative pain. Conclusions Women with preoperative pain experience significant improvements in pain and pelvic floor symptoms with vaginal reconstructive surgery. Pelvic floor muscle training perioperatively may be beneficial for select patients.