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
