Surgical Options
Hysterectomy
Uterine prolapse may be treated by removing the uterus in a surgical procedure called hysterectomy. This may be done through an incision made in the vagina (vaginal hysterectomy) or through the abdomen (abdominal hysterectomy). Hysterectomy is major surgery, and removing the uterus means pregnancy is no longer possible.
Vaginal vs. Abdominal Surgery
Doctors generally prefer to perform the surgical repair vaginally because it's associated with less pain after surgery, faster healing and a better cosmetic result. However, vaginal surgery may not provide as lasting a fix as abdominal surgery. And if you didn't have your uterus removed during surgery, prolapse can recur.
Laparoscopic Techniques
Laparoscopic and robotic operating techniques use smaller abdominal incisions, a lighted camera-type device (laparoscope) and specialized surgical instruments to offer a minimally invasive approach to abdominal surgery.
Uterine Suspension
Uterine suspension is a procedure that involves putting the uterus back into its normal position. This may be done by reattaching the pelvic ligaments to the lower part of the uterus to hold it in place. Another technique uses a special material that acts like a sling to support the uterus in its proper position. Recent advances include performing uterine suspension with minimally invasive techniques and laparoscopically (through small band aid-sized incisions) that decrease post-operative pain and speed recovery.
Robotically-Assisted Surgery
Robotically-assisted laparoscopic surgery is an effective alternative to traditional surgery for treatment of vaginal vault prolapse, U.S. researchers report.
Robotic surgery involves the use of a device that helps speed up the repair and simplifies technically difficult aspects of vaginal vault prolapse surgery. A recent Mayo Clinic study of 30 women who had robot-assisted laparoscopic repair concluded that this method has many advantages over traditional open surgical repair.1
1. "Robot Technology Improves Vaginal Prolapse Surgery," U.S. Dept. of Health & Human Services, healthfinder.gov.
While clinical studies support the effectiveness of the da Vinci® System when used in minimally invasive surgery, individual results may vary. Surgery with the da Vinci Surgical System may not be appropriate for every individual. Always ask your doctor about all treatment options, as well as their risks and benefits.
Content provided by Intuitive Surgical. For more information on this topic, please visit www.davincisurgery.com
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