What is Pelvic Repair?
Muscles that run along the inside of the pelvis form what is known as the pelvic floor. These pelvic muscles regulate the female reproductive organs, including the uterus, bladder, and bowels.
Weak pelvic floors make it difficult to hold in bowel movements and cause leaks during physical activity, laughter, or coughing.
The pelvic floor muscles may be strengthened by exercise, but pelvic floor surgery is the best option in certain circumstances. If non-invasive treatments like physiotherapy and pelvic floor exercises haven’t helped, pelvic floor repair surgery can be the next best thing.
What happens in pelvic floor repair?
Various collective “pelvic floor repairs” procedures are performed to correct pelvic floor prolapse. Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) is a reproductive organ disorder in which the pelvic organs prolapse into the vagina due to the weakening of the supporting ligaments and muscles.
Many minimally invasive surgical procedures fall under the umbrella term ‘what is pelvic repair’ and may be used to treat pelvic organ prolapse. The method used to correct a prolapsed pelvic organ is dependent on the patient’s reproductive objectives.
To understand what happens during pelvic floor repair, we have to discuss the different types of pelvic floor repair.
Apical Suspensions
Apical Suspensions are a restorative surgery to reinstate the vaginal apex’s structural integrity. Most patients may have this surgical procedure performed simultaneously as a hysterectomy if their POP has spread to the uterus. This method has no negative effects on sexual function, and it allows for two kinds of treatment options:
- · Sacral colpopexy – the surgeon makes a small incision in the patient’s abdomen and sews together a synthetic mesh strip and strong ligaments (a bone near the tailbone). Laparoscopy (using a camera inserted into the patient’s abdomen) or robotic surgery may be used.
- · Uterosacral or Sacrospinous Ligament Suspension – There is no need for an abdominal incision or mesh in a uterosacral or sacrospinous ligament suspension surgery, which is performed entirely vaginally. The doctor will sew the vaginal opening to a ligament in the pelvis.
Anterior Prolapse Repair
Anterior vaginal prolapse surgery repairs or fortifies the weak layers between the bladder and the vagina without impairing sexual function. Both general and local anesthesia are viable options for completing the surgery.
The surgical incision will be made in the middle of the wall of the vagina. When this is done, absorbable stitches patch the thin layers, and any excess vaginal skin is removed. For severe prolapse, the surgeon may insert a mesh to reinforce the front and back walls of the vaginal canal.
Posterior prolapse Repair
Weak layers between the vaginal wall and the rectum are strengthened or repaired during surgery, and sexual function is not compromised.
After numbing the area, the surgeon makes a cut in the middle of the vaginal back wall. Absorbable stitches will next be used to patch the damaged layers.
Obliterative procedure
The obliterative procedure, called Lefort colpocleisis or complete colpocleisis, involves closing up the vagina to support the prolapsed organs. The surgeon will repair the vaginal walls from the inside, resulting in less recurrent prolapse, this is one of a few different ways to answer ‘what is pelvic repair.’
Why would you need pelvic reconstructive surgery?
Candidates for pelvic reconstructive surgery include women with disorders including urinary incontinence, interstitial cystitis, vaginal prolapse, uterine prolapse, or fistulae. If kegel exercises, weight loss, and other non-surgical therapy are ineffective, a vaginal prolapse operation may be necessary.
This procedure is often called pelvic organ prolapse or pelvic reconstructive surgery. Its principal function is to return the pelvic organs to their proper positions. The process guarantees that the organs stay in their proper place.
In most cases, physicians advise women to wait until they have finished having children before deciding to have pelvic organ prolapse surgery.
Pregnancy beyond this point should be avoided since it increases the likelihood of a repeat prolapse and potential complications from subsequent surgical repair. There are several aspects to consider while deciding whether or not to operate on a patient, including her age and overall health.
Surgery involving the rebuilding of the pelvis may include using polypropylene surgical mesh. It should be noted, however, that this tactic is not recommended. It’s best to use the patient’s vaginal tissues as structural support. When other surgical procedures have failed, the vaginal mesh may be employed.
By contacting a Chicago pelvic mesh attorney, you can have someone on your side fighting for you during this process, your health is most important.
How long does it take to recover from a pelvic floor repair?
Expect some leakage and spotting from the vagina for around six weeks after the procedure. The amount of bleeding decreases with time. If the bleeding worsens, contact your doctor right away. Dissolving stitches are evidenced by yellowish-white and watery vaginal discharge.
The patient’s circumstances and health determine the recovery period for pelvic repair surgery. Returning to normal activities usually takes around three weeks following surgery.
After the procedure, the patient should abstain from sexual activity for three to four weeks because a vaginal incision would force the patient to have uncomfortable sexual intercourse again. You should avoid heavy lifting, strenuous exertion, and straining during the first few weeks.
How is pelvic reconstructive surgery done?
Pelvic reconstructive surgery is performed within the vagina. An anterior pelvic corrective surgery is a vaginal approach performed by making an incision along the mucosa (vaginal skin) that overlays the bladder, which is not in the proper location. The catheter is inserted into the urethra, allowing the anterior vaginal wall and mucosa to open and the bladder wall to be shown.
An anterior repair may be performed in a variety of methods. One of the most popular procedures is to make an incision along the front wall of the vagina, beginning at the entrance and ending nearly at the very top of the vagina. To restore the weaker layers, surgeons utilize absorbable sutures.
This operation typically takes 30 to 60 minutes to complete. A vaginal hysterectomy with pelvic reconstruction would take around 1 – 2 hours.
What Women Should Know About Vaginal Prolapse Repair
Surgeries are often successful for most patients, but there is always the chance of complications or failure. According to research published in Women’s Health, up to 30% of women with vaginal prolapse will have a recurrence of the prolapse symptoms within five years.
Ultimately, vaginal prolapse is common and may be fixed. As a kind of treatment, surgery is only one of several possible options. The patient and the surgeon must get a complete picture of the patient’s prolapse symptoms and the examination results before making any choices regarding surgery options or treatment.
If you or someone you know is suffering from pelvic prolapse pain due to transvaginal mesh, don’t hesitate to get in touch with a pelvic mesh attorney and the Law Offices of Tom Plouff Chicago for a free consultation.
