What is a colpocleisis?
What is a colpocleisis? A colpocleisis (vaginal closure) is a surgical treatment option for pelvic organ prolapse in which the length of the vaginal canal is shortened. It is performed through the vagina and does not require any abdominal incisions.
What is colon colpocleisis surgery?
Colpocleisis is a surgery used to treat pelvic organ prolapse (POP). With colpocleisis, your provider sews the walls of your vagina together to hold your pelvic organs into place. This surgery is common among cisgender women with severe POP in their 80s or 90s who no longer wish to have vaginal intercourse. What is colpocleisis?
Is colpocleisis a good option for pelvic prolapse?
Colpocleisis, pronounced kal-po-kli-sis, is a surgery option for pelvic prolapse with a 90-95% success rate. Keep reading to see if this is a good option for you. What is Colpocleisis? Colpocleisis, also known as vaginal closure surgery, is a procedure done to correct bladder, uterine, and vaginal prolapse.
What is the difference between colpocleisis and vaginal closure surgery?
If the uterus is still present, it can be removed (hysterectomy) at the time of colpocleisis. Le Fort Colpocleisis is the name of the vaginal closure surgery done when the uterus is still present and not removed. Small drainage tunnels are created during surgery to allow blood or mucus to drain from the uterus.
Is colpocleisis a major surgery?
This procedure is the least invasive surgical procedure for prolapse repair and can be done quickly under regional (spinal) or general anesthesia, making it an attractive option for women who have medical problems and are not good candidates for more extensive surgeries.
How is colpocleisis done?
Colpocleisis is a type of obliterative surgery. The surgeon sews together the front and back walls of the vagina to shorten the vaginal canal. This prevents the vagina walls from bulging inward, and provides support to hold up the uterus. Reconstructive surgery is often performed through incisions in the abdomen.
How long is colpocleisis surgery?
But colpocleisis isn't as invasive or time-intensive as reconstructive surgery. Colpocleisis takes about an hour. Reconstruction surgery can take up to five hours.
Does colpocleisis fix rectocele?
When is this surgery used? Colpocleisis is used to treat vaginal or uterine prolapse (sagging down). Common terms for prolapse are cystocele, rectocele, or enterocele.
What is the best surgery for prolapsed bladder?
A healthcare provider may recommend surgery to repair the vaginal wall support and reposition the woman's bladder to its normal position. The most common prolapsed bladder repair is an anterior vaginal repair—or anterior colporrhaphy.
How do I know if my prolapse is severe?
Signs and symptoms of moderate to severe uterine prolapse include:Sensation of heaviness or pulling in your pelvis.Tissue protruding from your vagina.Urinary problems, such as urine leakage (incontinence) or urine retention.Trouble having a bowel movement.More items...•
How do you poop with a rectocele?
How do you poop with a rectocele? With severe prolapse, you may need to use your fingers to hold your vaginal wall up so that you can poop. This process is called "splinting." You may have to use a finger to nudge the poop out. Ensure that your finger is clean (bacteria-free) before inserting it into your vagina.
How do you poop after rectocele surgery?
Use a stool softener/osmotic laxative (e.g. Movicol) to keep your stool soft and easy to pass – especially during your short-term recovery. Discuss the best stool medication with your medical care provider. Adhere to the correct diet to keep your stool soft if you suffer from constipation.
What happens when prolapse surgery fails?
The most frequent complications included erosion through the vagina, infection, pain, urinary problems and recurrence of the prolapse and/or incontinence. In some cases, erosion of the mesh and scarring of the vagina led to discomfort and pain, including pain during sexual intercourse.
How is a Colpectomy performed?
During the surgery, the internal vaginal walls are sewn together so that the vagina cannot bulge out. Dissolvable stitches are placed to sew the vagina to the back wall, which pushes the prolapsed organs inside the body and prevents them from bulging.
What procedure is performed to treat vaginal prolapse?
Sacrocolpopexy—Used to treat vaginal vault prolapse and enterocele. It can be done with an abdominal incision or with laparoscopy. Surgical mesh is attached to the front and back walls of the vagina and then to the sacrum (tail bone). This lifts the vagina back into place.
What is a total Colpectomy?
Total colpectomy A procedure for complete closure of the vagina to correct prolapse, and is only performed when the patient is completely sure that she will never want to have intercourse again.
How is a colpocleisis procedure performed?
Hence, there will not be any pain during surgery. The surgeon sutures (stitches) the anterior (front) and posterior (back) walls of the vagina together to shorten the vagina. The sutures used are absorbable and get absorbed in a few months. The surgery usually takes around an hour. A catheter may be placed in the bladder to drain out urine, which may be removed after 24-48 hours, so the patient would not have to walk to the bathroom.
Who undergoes colpocleisis?
Because colpocleisis is less invasive than reconstructive surgery, it is preferred in patients who have systemic medical conditions and are hence unfit for more extensive surgeries. This procedure is usually recommended for older, post-menopausal women who are no longer sexually active and don’t wish to be sexually active in the future either. Women will not be able to have vaginal intercourse after colpocleisis because the vagina would be too narrow. The surgery also prevents access to the cervix and uterus; hence, performing a pap smear of the cervix and other diagnostic tests of the uterus or fallopian tubes would not be possible.
What type of surgery is used to remove a prolapsed uterus?
There are two main types of surgeries to treat uterine prolapse: Obliterative or occlusive surgery: This type of surgery involves narrowing, shortening, and/or closure of the vagina to support the pelvic organs. Reconstructive surgery: This type of surgery involves removal of the uterus by detaching it from the upper portion of the vagina, ...
What is the procedure for uterine prolapse?
Colpocleisis is a surgical procedure that’s used to treat uterine prolapse in women. Colpocleisis is a surgical procedure that’s used to treat uterine prolapse in women. In prolapse, muscles of the pelvic floor that support the uterus and other pelvic organs weaken, causing the uterus to hang down into the vagina, creating a bulge.
What are the risks of colpocleisis?
Colpocleisis is relatively safe, but like any surgery, there is a risk of complications. They include: 1 Bleeding 2 Infection 3 Blood clots in the blood vessels 4 Damage to the surrounding organs, muscles, nerves, and other tissues 5 Reaction to anesthesia
How long does it take to recover from colpocleisis?
Patients can resume their daily activities a few days to a few weeks following surgery, after consulting with the surgeon.
Can the cervix be removed?
The cervix may be removed as well. The rest of the organs are repositioned back into the pelvis, including the vagina. Colpocleisis is a type of obliterative/occlusive surgery, where the surgeon sutures ( stitches) the front and back walls of the vagina together to shorten the vaginal canal. This provides support to the uterus.
What is a colpocleisis?
A colpocleisis (vaginal closure) is a surgical treatment option for pelvic organ prolapse in which the length of the vaginal canal is shortened. It is performed through the vagina and does not require any abdominal incisions. The surgery and recovery are very quick. After this surgery, the vagina will be very short, so it is not a good treatment option for women who want to be sexually active with vaginal intercourse.
How is the surgery performed?
At Northwestern Medicine, your urogynecologist will perform a colpocleisis through the vagina. It is considered “natural orifice surgery,” so you will not have any incisions on your abdomen. This procedure is the least invasive surgical procedure for prolapse repair and can be done quickly under regional (spinal) or general anesthesia, making it an attractive option for women who have medical problems and are not good candidates for more extensive surgeries. In this procedure, the length of the vaginal canal is shortened by sewing the front and back walls of the vagina together and the size of the opening of the vagina (introitus) is reduced. This effectively reduces the vaginal prolapse and prevents further development of prolapse. However, because the vagina is permanently shortened after surgery, women can no longer have vaginal sexual intercourse. Colpocleisis can be performed on women who have undergone a previous hysterectomy or those who still have a uterus.
What is the safest surgical procedure for prolapse?
Your urogynecologist will evaluate you and will modify certain things that might predispose you to a complication. Colpocleisis is the safest surgical procedure to treat prolapse with the least amount of complications.
What are the complications of urogynecology surgery?
Complications general to any type of surgery, including blood clot, infection, bleeding, or nerve or muscle injury, can be encountered with this surgery as well. Again, your urogynecologist will work with you, your primary care team, and our anesthesiology team to minimize your risk of these things happening.
How should I prepare for surgery?
You will meet with your surgeon as well as our nurse preoperatively to discuss specific instructions to follow before and after surgery.
What is colpocleisis surgery?
At Northwestern Medicine, your urogynecologist will perform a colpocleisis through the vagina. It is considered “natural orifice surgery,” so you will not have any incisions on your abdomen. This procedure is the lowest risk surgical procedure available for the repair of prolapse.
How successful is colpocleisis?
How Successful Is This Surgery? Colpocleisis is very effective and has long-term success rates around 95 percent. Many clinical research studies demonstrate that colpocleisis is safe and effective, even in women who are elderly or have medical problems. Most women are highly satisfied after the procedure.
What is the procedure for a prolapsed vagina?
A colpocleisis (va ginal closure procedure) is a surgical treatment option for pelvic organ prolapse in which the length of the vaginal canal is shortened and narrowed so that the prolapsing vagina cannot protrude. This surgery and recovery are swift.
Why do vaginal surgeries require no incisions?
Vaginal surgeries are minimally invasive procedures that require no incisions in the abdomen because access to all of the pelvic organs is obtained using incisions in the vagina. For these procedures, patients are positioned on their backs with legs and feet in supportive stirrups. Other vaginal surgeries include:
Can you do a vaginal canal surgery under general anesthesia?
It can be done quickly under regional (spinal) or general anesthesia, making it an attractive option for women who have medical problems and are not good candidates for more extensive surgeries. In this procedure, the length of the vaginal canal is shortened by sewing the front and back walls of the vagina together, ...
Can colpocleisis be reversed?
Special considerations before colpocleisis: This procedure cannot be reversed, and it is important to understand that vaginal penetration will not be possible after this procedure. Also, if you have not undergone a hysterectomy either before or at the time of your colpocleisis, your cervix and uterus could develop problems in the future ...
How does a complete colpocleisis work?
In a complete colpocleisis, the front part of the lining will be stitched to the back. This will completely close off the vagina. In a partial colpocleisis, strips of the vaginal lining are removed from the front and back of the vagina. These are then sewn to each other to close the vagina.
What do I need to know about colpocleisis?
Colpocleisis is surgery to partially or completely close the vagina of an older woman with genital prolapse . It is done if you are too weak for other surgeries and are not sexually active. You may need to have surgery for stress incontinence at the same time.
How do I prepare for surgery?
You may need an endometrial ultrasound or biopsy before your surgery, if you still have your uterus. Your healthcare provider will counsel you that sex will not be possible after the surgery. He or she will make sure that you do not want to have sex in the future. Make plans for someone to drive you home and stay with you once you are discharged.
What will happen during surgery?
You may be given general anesthesia to keep you asleep and free from pain during surgery. You may instead be given spinal anesthesia to numb you from the waist down. With spinal anesthesia, you may still feel pressure or pushing during surgery, but you should not feel any pain.
Can you feel pressure during colpocleisis?
With spinal anesthesia, you may still feel pressure or pushing during surgery, but you should not feel any pain. You may be given antibiotics during your surgery to prevent an infection. Your surgeon will cut the vaginal lining. In a complete colpocleisis, the front part of the lining will be stitched to the back.
What is the success rate of colpocleisis?
Quoted success rates for colpocleisis are between 90% and 95%.
Why do you need compression stockings for colpocleisis?
You will be given compression stockings to reduce the risk of this , and possibly also a course of injections. Complications specific to colpocleisis: Hematoma. This is a collection of blood that can develop from the surfaces of the vaginal tissues that have been sewn together.
What is the name of the vaginal closure surgery done when the uterus is still present and not removed?
Le Fort Colpocleisis is the name of the vaginal closure surgery done when the uterus is still present and not removed. Small drainage tunnels are created during surgery to allow blood or mucus to drain from the uterus.
How long does it take to pass urine after colpocleisis?
An overnight hospital stay is typical. It is normal to have creamy white or yellow discharge for 4-6 weeks after surgery.
Can you leave the uterus after a colpocleisis?
It is very difficult to reach the uterus after healing from a Le Fort colpocleisis, thus, pre-operative testing is needed to make sure it is safe to leave the uterus . These tests include PAP smear, uterine biopsy or pelvic ultrasound. Front view of prolapse before surgery. Side view of prolapse before surgery.
What is Colpocleisis?
Colpocleisis, also known as vaginal closure surgery, is a procedure done to correct bladder, uterine, and vaginal prolapse. This surgical treatment option shortens the length of the vaginal canal and doesn’t require abdominal incisions. The surgery is best for a woman with advanced prolapse where the top of the vagina droops outside of the vaginal opening. Your doctor may also propose colpocleisis if you’re not a good candidate for extensive surgeries, but more on that later.
What is pelvic prolapse?
Pelvic prolapse is one of those conditions that is common but rarely discussed. Approximately 1/3 of American women have a pelvic floor disorder, such as incontinence, and 11% of those with pelvic prolapse will require surgery. However, similar to pelvic prolapse being on the hush-hush, so are its surgery options.
What is the purpose of sutures in vaginal surgery?
In some cases, sutures are used to narrow the vaginal opening to prevent the prolapse from happening again. Towards the end of the surgery, your surgeon will push the uterus above the stitches they placed in the vagina. They’ll likely use drainage funnels to unload any excess blood and mucus.
Is colpocleisis surgery good?
If you’ve been dealing with severe pelvic prolapse for a while now and want some relief, ask your doctor about colpocleisis. When pessaries, pelvic floor exercises, and other options haven’t worked, this procedure is a good choice. Approximately 9 out of 10 women are satisfied with their results and 4 out of 5 don’t regret giving up sexual intercourse. For many, this surgery helps them reclaim the quality of life they once had, so it’s worth looking into.
Can you have colpocleisis if you have advanced prolapse?
Your doctor may also propose colpocleisis if you’re not a good candidate for extensive surgeries, but more on that later.
Why is colpocleisis controversial?
It is controversial because of its impact on coital activity. With careful patient selection, however, colpocleisis is considered a valid option for frail and elderly women who have POP and do not desire or foresee the possibility of future vaginal intercourse.
What are the advantages of colpocleisis?
Any frail, elderly woman who has stage-III or -IV POP who does not desire to preserve coital ability is a candidate for colpocleisis ( TABLE ). Advantages include: 1 a short operating time 2 few complications 3 amenability of local anesthesia 4 short hospitalization 5 speedy recovery 6 high success rate 7 low rate of regret. 2 - 5
Who is a candidate for colpocleisis?
Any frail, elderly woman who has stage-III or -IV POP who does not desire to preserve coital ability is a candidate for colpocleisis ( TABLE ). Advantages include:
Can colpocleisis cause self-image issues?
Because it precludes coital activity, however, colpocleisis may cause problems with self-image. It also may lead to de novo or worsening urinary incontinence and complicate or delay the diagnosis of cervical and endometrial pathology.
How is Fort Colpocleisis performed?
It involves removing the vaginal epithelium (lining of the vagina) with subsequent closure of the vagina.
What are the risks of colpocleisis?
Complications from a Le Fort colpocleisis are typically very low. However with every procedure there always some risks including anesthesia problems, postoperative pain, intraoperative bleeding, infection, blood clots and damage to adjacent organs. With regards to the Le Fort colpocleisis, some specific risks include the following: 1 5-10% risk of postoperative urinary tract infection 2 Feelings of regret 3 Future uterine disease necessitating work up or hysterectomy
How long does it take to get a cystocele corrected?
Should you need surgical clearance, you will be asked to obtain this prior to surgery. The surgical procedure takes approximately 1 hour to perform when performed with additional procedures to correct a cystocele or rectocele. You will be under general anesthesia during the procedure.
How long does it take to recover from Le Fort Colpocleisis?
While pain tolerance is variable among patients, most patients report minimal pain after a Le Fort colpocleisis. Overall recovery time includes six weeks with some activity restrictions, however patients are often able to return to a normal routine shortly after surgery. Restrictions including the following:
Is prolapse surgery effective?
It is a highly effective treatment option (90-95%) for women who choose to undergo this prolapse procedure. What makes this surgery unique is that it is performed with the uterus in place. Therefore, adequate work up for any uterine disease should be performed before considering this procedure.
Does insurance cover Fort Colpocleisis?
Most insurance policies will cover Le Fort colpocleisis. Our office will help you with obtaining prior authorization if your insurance policy requires it. If you have further questions, contact your insurance carrier to determine the details regarding your coverage.
Is Le Fort Colpocleisis a risk?
Complications from a Le Fort colpocleisis are typically very low. However with every procedure there always some risks including anesthesia problems, postoperative pain, intraoperative bleeding, infection, blood clots and damage to adjacent organs. With regards to the Le Fort colpocleisis, some specific risks include the following:
