Value of pelvic examination in women with pelvic organ prolapse: A systematic review

Background Recent recommendations from the French High Authority of Health on pelvic organ prolapse (POP) management underline the value of a pelvic examination. Objectives The aim of this paper was to analyze the literature and identify the best evidence available regarding pelvic examination for women presenting prolapse‐associated symptoms in terms of diagnosis and predictability of treatment success. Search Strategy The databases were queried similarly using Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) and non‐MeSH terms broadly related to pelvic examination and POP management. Selection Criteria We included studies assessing the diagnostic contribution of pelvic examination (correlation with symptoms) and its value for assessing the risk of pessary failure or recurrence after reconstructive surgery. Data Collection and Analysis We assessed peer‐reviewed articles on PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane database up to May 2023. The methodological quality of all the included studies was assessed using the ROBINS‐E or RoB2 tools. Main Results In all, 67 studies were retained for the review. Prolapse‐associated symptoms are poorly correlated with POP diagnosis. The symptom that is best correlated with the POP stage is the presence of a vaginal bulge (moderate to good correlation). The factors most strongly associated with the risk of recurrence after surgery or pessary failure are clinical: essentially a higher POP stage before surgery, levator ani muscle avulsion, and vaginal and genital measurements. Conclusions In women complaining of prolapse‐associated symptoms, a pelvic examination (vaginal speculum and digital vaginal examination) can confirm the presence of POP and identify risk factors for treatment failure or recurrence after surgical management or pessary placement. A higher stage of POP and levator ani muscle avulsion—discernible on pelvic examination—are major risk factors for POP recurrence or treatment failure. These features must be taken into account in the treatment choice and discussed with the patient. Synopsis Pelvic examination in women presenting prolapse‐related symptoms can diagnose POP and detect clinical risk factors for failure or recurrence after surgery or pessary placement.