EFFECTIVENESS OF SLING PROCEDURES FOR UTERO-VAGINAL PROLAPSE: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY AT AYUB TEACHING HOSPITAL, ABBOTTABAD

Background: Uterovaginal prolapse (UVP) can significantly impair quality of life in women, underscoring the need for evidence-based treatment solutions. While sling procedures have gained popularity in managing UVP, their effectiveness requires further evaluation. Objective: To assess the safety and efficacy of sling procedures in management of UVP and assess patient satisfaction. Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: Ayub Teaching Hospital, Abbottabad. Population or sample: We included 17 patients aged 30-59 years who underwent sling procedures over a 2-year period, with varying degrees of prolapses. Methods: A retrospective analysis of case records from 2022 to 2024 was conducted to assess improvements in quality of life, prolapse symptoms, complications and patient satisfaction. Data were collected using structured questionnaires, analysed using SPSS 202, and presented with MS Word. Main outcome measures: Study aimed to measure the effectiveness of sling procedure in improving symptoms, recurrence and complications. Results: The study included 17 female patients with an average age of 41.18 ± 9.221 years, ranging from 30 to 59 years, with the majority falling within the 30-39 age group. Most patients (82.35%) underwent spinal anesthesia, while the remaining received general anesthesia. The severity of prolapse varied, with 11 patients diagnosed with second-degree prolapse, 4 with third-degree, and 2 with first-degree prolapse. There was a significant correlation between age and prolapse severity, with older patients more likely to experience advanced stages of prolapse (p=0.036). No intraoperative or postoperative complications were noted, and all patients expressed high levels of satisfaction with the procedure. Follow-up assessments showed no reported complaints, demonstrating a successful surgery with no complications during recovery. Conclusion: This retrospective case report analysis confirms the effectiveness of sling procedures in treating UVP, offering a valuable treatment option for patients. The findings support the use of sling procedures as a safe and effective treatment for UVP, with high patient satisfaction and low complication rates. Funding: This study was conducted independently without any external or institutional funding, based on researchers’ own interest.