Vaginal pessaries and their use in pelvic relaxation.

To evaluate the therapeutic usefulness of pessaries in patients with pelvic relaxation, a retrospective study was performed identifying 107 patients who had been fitted with a pessary for symptomatic pelvic relaxation. Of this group, 101 returned or were available for follow-up. Ninety-one had at least one pelvic organ protruding to or beyond the hymen. Specific reasons for using the pessary are cited. Group 1 included 19 patients who were thought to be medically unfit for surgery. Twenty-one percent of this group died within one year of their evaluation for pelvic relaxation. Group 2 was composed of 24 patients who chose to use the pessary only temporarily while awaiting a suitable time for surgery. Group 3 consisted of 58 patients who were offered the option of definitive surgical repair but initially declined. Fifty of the 101 patients have continued to use the pessary. Twenty-six had repairs, and four have died. Only 21 patients have discontinued the pessary, had no surgical repair and thus continue without treatment of their pelvic relaxation. No major complications were associated with use of the pessary.