ArticleInternational urogynecology journal2014
How often should shelf/Gellhorn pessaries be changed? A survey of IUGA urogynaecologists.
Article in International urogynecology journal, 2014. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 18 papers.
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Who cites it
18 citing papers in PubMed, 41 citations in OpenAlex.
- Self-management of vaginal pessaries for pelvic organ prolapse: multi-method process evaluation, linked to the TOPSY randomised controlled trial.BMC medicine · 2025Trial
- Trial
- International Urogynecology Consultation Chapter 3 Committee 1 - Pessary Management.International urogynecology journal · 2025Review
- Understanding Factors That Affect Willingness to Self-Manage a Pessary for Pelvic Organ Prolapse: A Questionnaire-Based Cross-Sectional Study of Pessary-Using Women in the UK.International urogynecology journal · 2024Article
- What is known from the existing literature about self-management of pessaries for pelvic organ prolapse? A scoping review.BMJ open · 2022Article
- Adapting to Challenging Circumstances: Pessary Care in a Racially Diverse Urban Population Within a U.S. Epicenter of the COVID-19 Pandemic.Female pelvic medicine & reconstructive surgery · 2022Article
- How often should ring pessaries be removed or changed in women with advanced POP? A prospective observational study.International urogynecology journal · 2021Observational
- Current trends in pessary management of vaginal prolapse: a multidisciplinary survey of UK practice.International urogynecology journal · 2021Article
- Is it safe and effective to maintain the vaginal pessary without removing it for 2 consecutive years?International urogynecology journal · 2020Observational
- Open removal of a migrated Gellhorn pessary and repair of a vesicovaginal fistula.BMJ case reports · 2020Article
- An Internet-based survey to evaluate the comfort and need for further pubovaginal sling training.International urogynecology journal · 2019Observational
- Factors associated with the prescription of vaginal pessaries for pelvic organ prolapse.Clinics (Sao Paulo, Brazil) · 2019Article
- Effectiveness of a continuous-use ring-shaped vaginal pessary without support for advanced pelvic organ prolapse in postmenopausal women.International urogynecology journal · 2018Article
- Practices in pelvic organ prolapse operations among surgeons: an international survey identifying needs for further research.International urogynecology journal · 2016Article
- Effects of pelvic organ prolapse ring pessary therapy on intravaginal microbial flora.International urogynecology journal · 2016Article
- Female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery practice patterns: IUGA member survey.International urogynecology journal · 2015Article
- Management of recurrent stress urinary incontinence after failed midurethral sling: a survey of members of the International Urogynecological Association (IUGA).International urogynecology journal · 2015Article
- An integrative review and severity classification of complications related to pessary use in the treatment of female pelvic organ prolapse.Canadian Urological Association journal = Journal de l'Association des urologues du CanadaReview
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Authors and funding
2 authors at 1 institution in 1 country.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
introduction and hypothesisGellhorn and shelf pessaries can be effective management for women with pelvic organ prolapse (POP). This study aimed to investigate the opinion of IUGA members about shelf/Gellhorn pessary use, and in particular, how often to change them in patients with POP. There are no evidence-based guidelines available on this subject.
methodsMembers of the International Urogynaecology Association (IUGA) and the British Society of Urogynaecology (BSUG) were sent a single electronic mailing of semi-structured questionnaires containing closed and open questions and free text response boxes. The internet-based survey consisted of 13 questions. Free text responses were analysed using a thematic qualitative analysis.
resultsA total of 322 respondents from the IUGA membership participated in the survey. Most consider shelf/Gellhorn pessaries an effective first-line treatment for their patients with POP. Self care is usually acceptable with ring pessaries, but with shelf/Gellhorn, 35 % would like to change them every 3 months, 31 % every 6 months and the rest varied. The routine use of oestrogens along with shelf/Gellhorn pessaries is a common practice. The risk of urogenital fistulae is well documented, but overall clinicians felt that shelf/Gellhorn pessaries are a safe and effective treatment for POP.
conclusionsThis study highlights the wide variation in global practice of the management of shelf/Gellhorn pessaries for POP. In order to inform our practice, evidence-based guidelines are required. A randomised control trial may help to decide whether or not it is appropriate to change the shelf/Gellhorn pessaries at all.
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Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.