Disparities in Complications After Prolapse Repair and Sling Procedures: Trends From 2010-2018

Objective: To compare 30-day complication rates after prolapse repair and sling procedures across racial/ethnic groups, and evaluate trends over time. Methods: We identified female patients in a national outcomes-based database who underwent prolapse repair and/or sling procedures between January 1, 2010 and December 31, 2018, stratified by race and ethnicity, and compared 30-day postoperative complication rates. Multivariable logistic regression adjusted for confounders. Trends in complication rates over time were evaluated using a test for trend (p-trend). Results: We identified 70,540 prolapse repairs and 23,968 sling procedures. Following prolapse repairs, Black women had the highest complication rates (11%, vs 8% for Hispanic and 9% for both White and Other race/ethnicity women, P <0.01). Following sling procedures, there were few differences in complication rates between groups. After adjustments, Black women still experienced higher odds of any complication (aOR 1.15, 95% CI 1.03-1.29), particularly a vascular complication (venous thromboembolism or transfusion) (aOR 2.50, 95% CI 2.05-3.04) following prolapse repair procedures. Hispanic women had higher odds of vascular complications after prolapse repair (aOR 1.47, 95% CI 1.23-1.76) and slings (aOR 2.40, 95% CI 1.53-3.76). Trends from 2010-2018 showed a decrease in vascular complication rates among non-Black women after prolapse repairs, but rates among Black women did not decrease. Conclusion: Black women have higher odds of experiencing postoperative complications after prolapse repair procedures, particularly vascular complications. Vascular complication rates after prolapse repair decreased over time for all racial/ethnic groups except Black women. Hispanic women have higher odds of vascular complications after prolapse repair and slings than other racial/ethnic groups.