Racial characteristics of women undergoing surgery for pelvic organ prolapse in the United States.

OBJECTIVE: This study was undertaken to compare the prevalence, demographics, and complications of pelvic organ prolapse surgery across races in the United States.

STUDY DESIGN: Data from the 2003 National Census and the 2003 National Hospital Discharge Survey were used to determine rates of prolapse surgery, demographic characteristics, morbidity, and mortality across races.

RESULTS: In 2003, 199,698 women underwent prolapse surgery. Rates of prolapse surgery per 10,000 women were 14.8, 5.6, and 8.7 in women of white, black, and other races. By geographic region, surgical rates per 10,000 white vs black women differed most in the West (16.0 vs 0.8). Of black women, 27% were on public assistance, compared with 5.9% and 9.6% women of white and other races. Complications occurred in 19.4%, 34.1%, and 27.4% of women of white, black, other races. Mortality was uncommon for all races.

CONCLUSION: Racial disparities between white and black women undergoing prolapse surgery appear to exist.