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 a 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 = 39), and dyspareunia decreased from 8.0 to 3.3 (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.