Roughly half of women (if not more) are estimated to experience Pelvic Organ Prolapse at some point in their lives–many go unreported. Fortunately, there are several treatments to help address the issue:
- Anterior colporrhaphy
An anterior colporrhaphy repairs the wall between the vagina and the bladder. A pliable piece of material called a “graft” can be placed between the vagina and bladder to strengthen the repair. There are many types of grafts available. - Posterior colporrhaphy
A posterior colporrhaphy repairs the wall between the vagina and the rectum. As with the anterior colporrhaphy, graft material can be used to strengthen this type of repair. This procedure is performed vaginally. Dr. Chughtai generally uses the pelvic floor muscles adjacent from the rectum as the “graft” material. This reduces graft complications. - Perineorrhaphy
A perineorrhaphy is the surgical repair of a weakened perineum (the area between the vaginal opening and anus). This procedure is sometimes done at the same time as a posterior repair. - Vaginal vault suspension/Uterine resuspension
A vaginal vault suspension is the surgical repair of a vaginal vault prolapsed by attaching the top of the vagina to ligaments in the pelvis with permanent sutures or graft material. This procedure can be performed vaginally or abdominally. - Hysterectomy
A hysterectomy is the surgical removal of the uterus. This is the surgery done to reduce future risk of gynecologic cancers. There is no documented benefit to prolapse repair by including a hysterectomy. A hysterectomy can be done through a vaginal or abdominal incision. - Robotic Sacrocolpopexy or Sacrohysteropexy
In specific situations, the vaginal vault can be suspended to the back bone of the pelvis. Dr. Chughtai has performed this procedure robotically since 2012. A permanent graft is sutured to the vaginal walls and/or uterus and then permanently connected to the sacrum.