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Anterior & Posterior Vaginal Repair
Your doctor has recommended a vaginal reconstructive procedure to treat your condition. The operation involves surgery to reattach the vagina to its original supports. In some instances your doctor may suggest removal of the uterus as part of your operation to correct prolapse.
Definition of Prolapse
This term refers to weakness in vaginal supports which results in a protrusion of the vaginal wall(s). This is more likely to occur during activities which increase the pressure inside the abdomen and pelvic floor such as heavy lifting or straining, coughing or sitting on the toilet to pass a bowel action. This may result in a noticeable bulge, lump or dragging sensation in the vagina. The lump may be due to a weakness in the front, back or top of the vagina or a combination of all three.
The bladder sits in front of the vagina, the bowel (rectum) sits behind the vagina and the cervix and uterus lie at the top of the vagina. A lump that comes out of the vagina can consist of one or more of these organs. This is why some people have trouble emptying their bladder or opening their bowels.
Occasionally prolapse can distort the anatomy causing obstruction to the urinary tract masking incontinence. Surgery to repair a prolapse, in correcting this obstruction, may occasionally result in stress incontinence post operatively. Sometimes a simple additional procedure to prevent this happening is performed at the same time. Your specialist can discuss whether this might be appropriate for you.
Both prolapse and urinary incontinence are more common in women who have had children. It is thought that tissue damage due to childbirth worsens with age, leading to the gradual onset of prolapse symptoms.
Some women seem particularly prone to developing prolapse.
There are many surgical procedures that can correct your problem.
Your doctor will discuss various options with you to help you decide what is likely to be the best solution.
Types of procedures:
Anterior and Posterior Repair (Front and back wall of the vagina)
- This operation involves incisions inside the vagina which enables the surgeon to access the tissue supporting the vagina. This tissue (fascia) is strengthened with stitches and reattached to the supporting structures within the pelvis.
- This may involve the front or the back walls of the vagina or both, depending on the type of prolapse you have.
- The incisions inside the vagina are then closed with stitches that will dissolve in a few weeks.
- At the end of the operation a catheter will be placed into your bladder to drain urine and a gauze pack will be placed in the vagina to prevent bleeding. These will remain in place for 1-2 days. They are easily removed by the nursing staff.
