Anterior Prolapse

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What is an anterior prolapse?

An anterior prolapse is a bulge of your vagina caused by your bladder dropping down. It is caused by weakness of the support tissues between your vagina and bladder.

What are the benefits of surgery?

An anterior prolapse can cause the following problems.

  • A sensation of ‘something coming down’.
  • The need to pass urine more often.
  • The feeling of not having fully emptied your bladder.
  • A bulge in your vagina, which can cause discomfort when having sex and difficulty keeping a tampon in.

The aim is to tighten the support tissues of your bladder and remove the bulge in your vagina.

Are there any alternatives to an anterior repair?

If you have only a mild prolapse, your doctor will usually recommend that you have an anterior repair only after you have tried simple treatments.

  • Pelvic-floor exercises.
  • Placing a pessary.

What does the operation involve?

The operation is usually performed under a general anaesthetic but various anaesthetic techniques are possible. The operation usually takes about 30 minutes.

Your doctor may examine your vagina. They will make a cut on the front (anterior) wall of your vagina so they can push your bladder and urethra (tube that carries urine from your bladder) back into place. Your doctor will stitch the support tissues together to provide better support for your bladder and urethra. They will cut away a small part of your vaginal wall to remove tissue left over from the repair.

How soon will I recover?

You will be able to go home when your doctor decides you are medically fit enough, which is usually after 2 to 3 days.

Rest for 2 weeks and continue to do the exercises that you were shown in hospital.

Do not have sex for 6 weeks or at least until any bleeding or discharge has stopped.

Do not stand for too long or lift anything heavy. You can return to work once your doctor has said you are well enough to do so (usually after 6 to 8 weeks). You should be feeling more or less back to normal after 3 months.

Regular exercise should help you to return to normal activities as soon as possible. Before you start exercising, ask the healthcare team or your GP for advice.

Continue your pelvic-floor exercises as soon as possible and keep doing them for life.

What complications can happen?

Some of these can be serious and can even cause death.

General complications of any operation

  • Pain
  • Feeling or being sick
  • Infection of the surgical site (wound)
  • Bleeding
  • Blood clot in your leg
  • Blood clot in your lung

Specific complications of this operation

  • Incontinence
  • Urine infection
  • Difficulty passing urine
  • Developing a collection of blood (haematoma) between your vagina and your bladder
  • Damage to your bladder and ureters

Availability

NHS/Private

Pricing*

Consultant
£683
Anaesthetist
£243
Hospital
£4637
Prices start from
£5562

*The prices shown are minimum guide prices only. Diagnostic scans and investigations are not included unless otherwise stated. The exact cost of treatment will be made clear to you before you proceed.

This document is intended for information purposes only and should not replace advice your healthcare team gives you. This information is published under license from EIDO Healthcare UK and is protected by copyright. Other than for your personal, non-commercial use, you may not copy, print, download or otherwise reproduce it.

An anterior repair is a major operation usually recommended after simpler treatments have failed. Your bladder should be better supported and you should no longer have a bulge in your vagina.

What to do next
  1. Talk to us about ways to pay, either insured or self-pay, and find out if you need a referral from your doctor.
  2. If you need one, ask your doctor for a referral letter.
  3. Call us to book an appointment with a consultant.
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Everybody was kind, considerate and a jolly bunch, which helps to put you at ease and gives you confidence in knowing that they know what they are doing. 5 stars.

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Very good hospital and very good staff. I have never met so many caring people in one place. The nursing was 1st class. The encouragement to walk was also very good.

I had an amazing experience during my time at St Hugh’s Hospital, from my initial consultation to the aftercare following my procedure. Communication with the cosmetic nurse was brilliant; every member of staff I met was kind respectful, caring and polite. My surgeon was fantastic, so professional and kind, I trusted his knowledge completely.