Procedures
Pelvic Reconstructive Surgery
When pelvic organ prolapse (POP) occurs the tissue and muscles can no longer support the pelvic organs, reconstructive surgery is needed.
Definition
Reconstructive pelvic surgery is surgery for the treatment of the pelvic organs. This corrective surgery is used to repair abnormalities and rebuild vital pelvic organs caused by uterine prolapse, urinary incontinence, endometriosis or prior surgeries in the pelvic region. These procedures repair pelvic floor disorders without removing the organs.
Understanding pelvic organ prolapse
The pelvic floor is made up of the muscles, ligaments, connective tissue and nerves that help support the vagina, uterus, bladder and rectum, and that help control the bladder (urinary continence) and rectum (bowel continence). The pelvic floor can be damaged by childbirth, repeated heavy lifting, chronic disease or surgery.
The tissues and muscles in your pelvis form a hammock-like support system. When your pelvic floor weakens or sustains damage, you can experience pelvic organ prolapse. This occurs when one or more of these pelvic organs slips out of position and presses into or out of your vagina.
There are different types of pelvic organ prolapse, depending on which organ moves out of position, including:
- Cystocele—The bladder drops into the vagina.
- Enterocele—The small intestine bulges into the vagina.
- Rectocele—The rectum bulges into the vagina.
- Uterine Prolapse—The uterus drops into the vagina.
- Vaginal Vault Prolapse—The top of the vagina loses its support and drops.
Conditions Pelvic Surgery Treats
Our board certified physicians have many hours of experience in the operating room reconstructing women’s pelvic floor disorders. This experience involves intricate knowledge of the ligaments, muscles, nerves and connective tissues that comprise the uterus, vagina, rectum and bladder organs.
Recurrent urinary tract infection
Pelvic organ prolapse (including uterine prolapse)
Overactive bladder
Interstitial cystitis
Underactive bladder
Urinary fistula
Urinary incontinence
Additional Resources
Learn more from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
