TITLE:
Surgical Outcomes and Factors Linked to Postoperative Complications in Patients with Genital Prolapse in North-Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo
AUTHORS:
Amos Kaghoma, Jean-Jeannot Juakali, Larrey Kamabu, Philemon Matumo, Noel Labama, Jean-Didier Bosenge, Baraka Munyanderu, Gédéon Katenga, Emmanuel Komanda
KEYWORDS:
Genital Prolapse, Surgical Outcomes, Postoperative Complications, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Risk Factors
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology,
Vol.16 No.4,
April
17,
2026
ABSTRACT: Introduction: Genital prolapse is a common condition affecting women, often requiring surgical intervention. In low-resource settings like the North-Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), understanding surgical outcomes and factors contributing to postoperative complications can help improve healthcare delivery and patient outcomes. This study aims to evaluate the surgical outcomes and identify factors linked to postoperative complications in patients undergoing surgery for genital prolapse in the North-Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Methods: A prospective cohort study was conducted, involving patients who underwent surgery for genital prolapse in healthcare facilities in Butembo, North-Eastern DRC, from 1st January to 30th September, 2024. It included 112 women who underwent surgery for genital prolapse. Data were collected from patient records, including demographic information, surgical details, and postoperative complications. Complications were defined as any adverse event occurring within 3 months post-surgery. Patients were followed up to track immediate and short-term outcomes. Statistical analysis was performed to identify factors associated with adverse outcomes using R version 4.4.0 software. Results: Of the 112 patients included, 11.6% experienced postoperative complications. The most common complications were bladder injury (15.4%), the most common intraoperative complication, and urinary incontinence (30.7%), the most frequent postoperative complication. Factors significantly associated with complications in the multivariate analysis included advanced age of 50 years or older (OR = [8.95], 95% CI: [1.51 - 174]), overweight or obese (OR = [4.97], 95% CI: [1.26 - 20.9]), comorbidities (OR = [8.84], 95% CI: [2.09 - 51.0]), promontofixation (OR = [38.8], 95% CI: [1.11 - 1,447]), and colpocleisis (OR = [17.4], 95% CI: [1.76 - 411]). Conclusion: Surgical intervention for genital prolapse in this region is generally effective; however, certain factors, such as advanced age (50 years or older), obesity, comorbidities, and specific surgical procedures (promontofixation and colpocleisis), increase the risk of postoperative complications. Targeted interventions to address these risk factors could improve patient outcomes and reduce complications. These findings underscore the importance of carefully considering these factors in surgical planning to mitigate complication risks. This study provides valuable data that can help refine surgical approaches and improve healthcare delivery in similar contexts.