Laparoscopic Uterine Suspension for Pain Relief - A Multicenter Study

Objective

To assess the efficacy of laparoscopic positioning by ligament investment, fixation and truncation (UPLIFT) in alleviating pain in women with a symptomatic, retroverted uterus, the duration of pain relief, and operative or postoperative complications associated with the procedure.

Study Design

Between May 22, 1998, and November 16, 2000, 62 women with retroverted uterus, chronic pelvic pain, moderate to severe dysmenorrhea and/or dyspareunia underwent UPLIFT on an outpatient basis. The patients for this prospective, cohort study were recruited from 5 private gynecologic practices. The patients were asked to rate their pelvic pain, dysmenorrhea and dyspareunia on a scale of 0-10, with 0 no pain and 10 the worst pain imaginable, preoperatively and again at 4 weeks and 3, 6 and 12 months postoperatively. The average follow-up time was 10.2 months (range, 0.2-14.9).

Results

The mean scores for pelvic pain decreased from 7.3 to 3.7 at 12 months (n=46). Dysmenorrhea decreased from 7.8 to 4.4 (n=41. All p values were < 0.0001. There were 5 minor intraoperative adverse events. The procedure did not result in any postoperative complications.

Conclusion

UPLIFT resulted in significant, long term pain reduction in women with a symptomatic, retroverted uterus. (J Reprod Med 2005;50:0000-0000)