Objective: The objective of our study was to determine the respective effects of conservative treatment (pelvic muscle exercises plus advice on healthy living) and the absence of treatment in the management of urogenital prolapse.
Materials and methods: Forty-seven women (mean+/-S.D. age: 53.42+/-11.01 years) consulting for genital prolapse (grade I or II cystocele) were randomized into two groups: a conservative treatment group (CTG) and a nontreated group (NTG). The patients' outcomes were rated according to several parameters; a clinical examination, the "Measurement of Urinary Handicap" (MUH) scale, urodynamic tests, the Ditrovie quality of life scale and patient satisfaction on a visual analogue scale (VAS).
Results: The immediate post-treatment results showed that pelvic heaviness persisted in only five patients (18.51%) in the CTG compared with fourteen (70%) in the NTG (p<0.001). Furthermore, a significant improvement in the MUH scale score was noted in the CTG compared with the NTG. The Ditrovie score also improved. The maximum urethral closure pressure (MUCP) ranged from 54.4+/-13.23 to 57.81+/-12.8 cm H(2)O in the CTG versus 54.05+/-12.18 to 52.95+/-12.18 cm H(2)O in the NTG. Uroflowmetry revealed a significant improvement in the maximum flow rate. These benefits were maintained two years after cessation of the conservative treatment in 20 of the CTG patients.
Conclusion: Conservative treatment can be effective in the treatment of low-degree urogenital prolapse and enables the improvement of clinical symptoms and urodynamic parameters. The benefits were maintained two years after treatment cessation.