This is an area in the body which is made up of muscles and supporting tissues (fascia) to provide support for the womb, bladder and rectum. If the pelvic floor is weak, the bladder, rectum and the womb may protrude out of the vagina.
This is often due to previous deliveries, menopause or excessive straining such as chronic cough, constipation or the presence of a pelvic mass.
It is an operation performed from the vaginal route to restore the support of bladder and rectum and to remove excess vaginal skin so as to reduce the protruding bladder and / or rectum. When the prolapse of the bladder & rectum is severe; there maybe a need to use synthetic meshes, that act as an extra support system. There are various systems used like the Gynaemesh and latest being the Prolift mesh system. It may be done together with other procedures to correct urinary incontinence or to remove the womb.
The objectives of the operation are to relieve your symptoms, restore vaginal anatomy and sexual function.
It is a relatively safe operation. However, like all surgical operations, complications may occasionally occur. These include:
The surgery may be done under regional anaesthesia (which involves the injection of a local anaesthetic medicine into the spine to numb the lower half of the body) or general anaesthesia (when you would be asleep throughout the procedure). The anaesthetist will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of both methods with you.
The surgery will be performed through the vagina. There will not be any visible scar on the abdomen.
At the end of the operation, the vagina will usually be packed with an antiseptic pack.
A catheter will be inserted into the bladder as there may be initial difficulty in urination after the procedure.
Painkillers, laxatives and antibiotics will generally be prescribed after the procedure.
You will be reviewed in the clinic at 1 week, 1 month, 6 months, 12 months and then yearly thereafter. It is very important to keep your follow-up appointments to ensure the best possible results.