Posterior Vaginal Prolapse Repair

Posterior Vaginal Prolapse Repair

Posterior Vaginal Prolapse is also called Rectocele and occurs when the tissues between the rectum and the vagina weaken, causing the rectum to bulge into the vagina. Posterior vaginal prolapse can cause vaginal or rectal pressure, difficulty having a bowel movement and discomfort during sexual intercourse.

There are three types of surgery used to repair rectocele or posterior vaginal prolapse. These surgical procedures can be done individually, or in conjunction with other prolapse repairs and include:

Posterior Colporrhaphy

A minimally invasive technique used to correct pelvic organs that have dropped out of their normal position. A posterior repair is used to tighten the back (posterior) wall of the vagina.

During this procedure, an incision is made in the posterior wall of the vagina in order to identify the weakened area. Sutures are placed in the weakened area which strengthen the fibromuscular layer of the vagina which separates the rectum from the vagina.

Perineorrhaphy

A minimally invasive technique used to reconstruct the perineal body. Often done at the same time as a posterior colporrhaphy, a perineorrhaphy further helps to support the posterior vaginal wall.

During this procedure, excess vaginal skin can be removed and the minimally invasive incision is closed using absorbable sutures.

Obliterative Procedures

Different from reconstructive surgeries to correct a prolapsed vagina, restoring normal anatomy, an obliterative surgery corrects a prolapse by removing (or closing off) all or part of the vaginal canal. The purpose of obliterative procedures is to prevent further prolapse.

This procedure, reserved for women who are no longer sexually active, detaches the vaginal skin from the underlying connective tissue and brings the top wall of the vagina to the bottom wall, shortening the vagina. Bodily function remains the same, patients are able to pass urine and have bowel movements and the vagina continues to appear normal from the outside.

There are two types of obliterative procedures:

Partial

Also called colpocleisis. Designed to treat urinary incontinence and prolapse in older women who are not sexually active. Involves a partial closer of the vagina.

Complete

Also called colpectomy. It involves the surgical removal of all of the vagina. It is a minimally invasive and a very successful way to treat pelvic organ prolapse in women that are no longer sexually active.