Laparoscopic Repair of Pelvic Organ Prolapse

What is laparoscopic repair of pelvic organ prolapse?

If you have pelvic organ prolapse, you may have chronic pelvic pain and pressure. It may even feel as if part of your reproductive organs are literally about to fall out of your vagina. Pelvic organ prolapse happens when the muscles and ligaments that support your uterus weaken. In some cases, the uterus may even prolapse (slip or fall down) into your vagina.

Treatment for pelvic organ prolapse can include physical therapy to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles or surgery to repair the tissue and ligaments. In severe cases, hysterectomy, or removing the uterus, may be necessary. Main Line Health offers laparoscopic repair as a minimally invasive treatment option for pelvic organ prolapse.

What to expect from laparoscopic repair of pelvic organ prolapse

Laparoscopic repair of pelvic organ prolapse essentially involves repairing the bulging tissue that's causing your symptoms. During the procedure, your surgeon will make a small incision in your navel to pass the laparoscopic camera through, and then will make several other small incisions to pass the surgical tools through. The surgeon views the procedure through the laparoscopic camera and repairs the tissue.

The smaller incisions used for laparoscopic surgery result in several benefits, including:

• Decreased risk of infection
• Faster recovery time
• Less pain after surgery
• Return to normal activities more quickly

Most cases of pelvic organ prolapse can be repaired. Sometimes symptoms will return and you may need another repair procedure. If repair doesn't help your symptoms, you may need laparoscopic hysterectomy.