Can the uterine prolapse be treated without hysterectomy? A resounding YES!

Many gynecologists feel the best way to treat a falling uterus is to remove it, with a surgery called a hysterectomy, and then attach the apex of the vagina to healthy portions of the ligaments up inside the body.  Other gynecologists, on the other hand, feel that hysterectomy is a major operation and should only be done if there is a condition of the uterus that requires it.  Along those lines, there has been some debate among gynecologists regarding the need for hysterectomy to treat uterine prolapse.

 

 

Uterine Prolapse

 

Some gynecologists have expressed the opinion that proper repair of the ligaments is all that is needed to correct uterine prolapse, and that the lengthier, more involved and riskier hysterectomy is not medically necessary.  To that end, an operation has been recently developed that uses the laparoscope to repair those supporting ligaments and preserve the uterus.  The ligaments, called the uterosacral ligaments, are most often damaged in the middle, while the lower and upper portions are usually intact. With this laparoscopic procedure, the surgeon attaches the intact lower portion of the ligaments to the strong upper portion of the ligaments with strong, permanent sutures. This accomplishes the repair without removing the uterus.  This procedure requires just a short hospital stay and quick recovery. A recent study from Australia found this operation, that they named laparoscopic suture hysteropexy, has excellent results. Our practice began performing this new procedure in 2000, and our results have, likewise, been very good.  However, as is the case with all reparative procedures, the goal is the success of the procedure over the long-term.  Since long-term evaluations are ongoing, ask your doctor his or her opinion about this operation and be sure you understand the reasons for their recommendation. 

 

This same uterine preserving procedure may also be accomplished though the vagina making a small entry into the abdomen behind the cervix and reattaching the ligaments to the uterus and cervix.  This would be called a vaginal-uterosacral hysteropexy and leaves no abdominal scars.  We have had excellent experience with this approach as well since 2000 especially if other vaginal procedures are needed at the same time for cystocele, rectocele, or vaginal narrowing.