Measuring outcomes in urogynecological surgery: "perspective is everything".

Over 10 years have passed since the first US National Institutes of Health consensus panel considered the standardization of definitions of pelvic floor conditions and the criteria utilized for reporting pelvic floor research study outcomes. The literature is replete with pelvic floor outcome studies; however, a consistent standardized approach to the evaluation of patients and characterization of outcomes is still needed. The purpose of this overview is to describe how the use of outcome measures has evolved over time and to attempt to help readers utilize the best measures for their clinical and research needs.