Anterior (front) vaginal wall prolapse repair

Women and Children – Obstetrics and Gynaecology

About this leaflet

We advise you to take your time to read this leaflet, any questions you have please write them down on the sheet provided (towards the back) and we can discuss them with you at our next meeting.

It is your right to know about the operations being proposed, why they are being proposed, what alternatives there are and what the risks are. These should be covered in this leaflet.

This leaflet firstly describes what an anterior vaginal wall prolapse is, it then goes on to describe what alternatives are available within our trust, the risks involved in surgery and finally what operation we can offer.

What is an anterior vaginal wall prolapse

• Anterior means towards the front, so an anterior vaginal wall prolapse is a slipping down of the front wall of the vagina.
• The other name for an anterior vaginal wall prolapse is a cystocele which describes the structure bulging into the vagina – the bladder (see diagram below).

• The pelvic floor muscles form a sling or hammock across the opening of the pelvis. These muscles, together with their surrounding tissue are responsible for keeping all of the pelvic organs (bladder, uterus, and rectum) in place and functioning correctly.
• Prolapse occurs when the pelvic floor muscles, their attachments or the vagina have become weak. This usually occurs because of damage at the time of childbirth but is most noticeable after the menopause when the quality of supporting tissue deteriorates. It is also related to chronic strain caused by heavy lifting and constipation.
• When the anterior vaginal wall is weak the bladder pushes down into the vagina causing a bulge. This sometimes can be large and push out of the vagina especially on straining e.g. exercise or passing a motion (diagram).
• A large cystocele can often cause or be associated with urinary symptoms such as urinary leakage, urinary urgency (strong and sudden desire to pass urine), having to go frequently, difficulty passing urine or a sensation of incomplete emptying.
• Some women have to push the bulge back into the vagina or lean forward in order to completely empty the bladder. Incomplete bladder emptying may make you prone to bladder infections (Urinary Tract Infection)
• Some women find that the bulge causes a dragging or aching sensation, or is uncomfortable when having sexual intercourse.

Types of pessary

Ring pessary

This is a soft plastic ring or device which is inserted into the vagina and pushes the prolapse back up. This usually gets rid of the dragging sensation and can improve urinary and bowel symptoms.

It needs to be changed every six to nine months, or earlier if there is any bleeding or discharge, and can be very popular; we can show you an example in clinic. Other pessaries may be used if the ring pessary is not suitable.

Some couples feel that the pessary gets in the way during sexual intercourse, but many couples are not bothered by it.

Shelf pessary or gellhorn

If you are not sexually active this is a stronger pessary which can be inserted into the vagina and again needs changing every four to six months.

General risks of surgery

• Anaesthetic risk
  This is very small unless you have specific medical problems. This will be discussed with you.
• Haemorrhage
  There is a risk of bleeding with any operation. The risk from blood loss is reduced by knowing your blood group beforehand and then having blood available to give you if needed. It is rare that we have to transfuse patients after their operation.
• Infection
  There is a risk of infection at any of the wound sites. A significant infection is rare. The risk of infection is reduced by our policy of routinely giving antibiotics with major surgery.
• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
  This is a clot in the deep veins of the leg. The overall risk is at most four or five percent although the majority of these are without symptoms. Occasionally this clot can migrate to the lungs which can be very serious and in rare circumstances it can be fatal (less than one percent of those who get a clot).
  DVT can occur more often with major operations around the pelvis and the risk increases with obesity, gross varicose veins, infection, immobility and other medical problems. The risk is significantly reduced by using special stockings and injections to thin the blood (heparin)

Specific risks of this surgery

• Damage to local organs
  This can include bladder, ureters (pipes from kidneys to the bladder) and blood vessels. This is a rare complication but requires that the damaged organ is repaired and this can result in a delay in recovery. It is sometimes not detected at the time of surgery and therefore may require a return to theatre. If the bladder is inadvertently opened during surgery, it will need catheter drainage for 7 to 14 days following surgery.
• Prolapse recurrence
  If you have one prolapse, the risk of having another prolapse sometime during your life is 30%. This is because the vaginal tissue is weak. The operation may not work and it may fail to alleviate your symptoms.
• Pain
  General pelvic discomfort, this usually settles with time, and tenderness on intercourse due to vaginal tethering or mesh erosion. Occasionally pain on intercourse can be permanent.
• Overactive bladder symptoms
  (Urinary urgency and frequency) usually get better after the operation, but occasionally can start or worsen after the operation. If you experience this, please make us aware so that we can treat you for it. Stress incontinence may develop in up to 5%.
• Reduced sensation during intercourse
  Sometimes the sensation during intercourse may be less and occasionally the orgasm may be less intense. In rare circumstances the vagina may become too narrow so that intercourse cannot take place. Corrective surgery may be complex but could be an option in the circumstance.

The operation for anterior vaginal wall prolapse (anterior colporrhaphy)

• This operation has been performed for a long time.
• There is a high recurrence rate (symptoms returning) but the operation can be repeated.
• Because this prolapse involves the bladder, a test of bladder function (urodynamics) is sometimes required prior to the operation, especially if the prolapse is large or if you already have urinary symptoms (frequency, urgency or incontinence).
• The benefits are that you are likely to feel more comfortable, intercourse may be more satisfactory and you may empty your bladder more effectively.

Before the operation

It is recommended that you take a medication to soften your motions for at least three days before the operation. This will help to reduce the risk of you getting constipated after the operation and could mean you get home earlier. Magnesium sulphate, Lactulose or Movicol would be suitable and you can obtain these from your GP.

Your gynaecologist may recommend local oestrogen if you are post-menopausal.

How the operation is performed

• The operation can be done with a spinal or general anaesthetic and you may have a choice in this.
• A spinal anaesthetic involves an injection in the lower back, similar to what we use when women are in labour or for a Caesarean section. The spinal anaesthetic numbs you from the waist down. This removes any sharp sensation but a pressure sensation will still be felt.
• A general anaesthetic will mean you will be asleep (unconscious) during the entire procedure.
• The legs are placed in stirrups (supported in the air).
• The front vaginal wall is injected (infiltrated) with local anaesthetic.

• A vertical cut is made in the front wall of the vagina over the area of the bulge (figure 2).

• The vaginal skin is then separated from the bladder.
• Two or three repair sutures are placed in the tissues at either side of the bladder (figure 3)

• These stitches are then tied in the centre thus bringing the fibrous tissue into the middle so that the bladder is elevated behind them and thus supported. This stops the bladder bulging into the front vaginal wall. Any excess vaginal skin is trimmed and then the vaginal askin closed with dissolvable stitches (figure 4).

After the operation – in hospital

• On return from the operating theatre you will have a fine tube (drip) in one of your arm veins with fluid running through to stop you getting dehydrated.
• You may have a bandage in the vagina, called a ‘pack’ and a sanitary pad in place. This is to apply pressure to the wound to stop it oozing.
• You may have a tube (catheter) draining the bladder. The catheter may give you the sensation as though you need to pass urine but this is not the case.
• Usually the drip, pack and catheter come out the morning after surgery or sometimes later the same day. This is not generally painful.
• After this operation some patients go home the same day.
• If you are still in hospital the day after the operation, you will be encouraged to get out of bed and take short walks around the ward. This improves general wellbeing and reduces the risk of clots in the legs.
• You may be given injections, to keep your blood thin and reduce the risk of blood clots in your legs. The injections are normally given once a day until you go home, or longer in some cases.
• The wound is not normally very painful but sometimes you may require tablets or injections for pain relief.
• There will be slight vaginal bleeding like the end of a period after the operation. This may last for a few weeks.
• The nurses will advise you about sick notes, certificates etc. You may be in hospital for up to four days.

After the operation – at home

• Mobilisation is very important; using your leg muscles will reduce the risk of clots in the back of the legs (DVT), which can be very dangerous.
• You are likely to feel tired and may need to rest in the daytime from time to time for a month or more, this will gradually improve.
• It is important to avoid stretching the repair particularly in the first weeks after surgery. Therefore, avoid constipation and heavy lifting. The deep stitches dissolve during the first three months and the body will gradually lay down strong scar tissue over a few months.
• Do not use tampons for six weeks
• There are stitches in the skin wound in the vagina. Any stitches under the skin will dissolve by themselves. The surface knots of the stitches may appear on your underwear or pads after about two weeks, this is quite normal. There may be little bleeding again after about two weeks when the surface knots fall off, this is nothing to worry about.
• At six weeks gradually build up your level of activity. After three months, you should be able to return completely to your usual level of activity.
• You should be able to return to a light job after about six weeks. Leave a very heavy or busy job until twelve weeks.
• You can drive as soon as you can make an emergency stop without discomfort, generally after three weeks. You must check this with your insurance company, as some of them insist that you should wait for six weeks.
• You can start sexual relations whenever you feel comfortable enough after six weeks, so long as you have no blood loss. You will need to be gentle and may wish to use lubrication (such as KY jelly) as some of the knots on the internal stitches could cause your partner discomfort. You may, otherwise, wish to wait until all the stitches have dissolved, typically three to four months.
• Follow up after the operation is usually six weeks to six months. This maybe at the hospital (doctor or nurse), with your GP or by telephone. Sometimes follow up is not required.

Avoiding constipation

• Drink plenty of water or juice

• Eat fruit and green vegetables especially broccoli

• Plenty of roughage, for example; bran or oats

Information about the British society of urogynaecology surgical database (surgical register)

The British Society of Urogynaecology (“BSUG”) is a national group of gynaecologists with a special interest and expertise in the treatment of incontinence and prolapse. BSUG has developed a database of clinical and surgical data for the purposes of publishing anonymous statistical information for research purposes and to enable individual NHS Trusts and consultants to audit information about operations to ensure that the procedures performed at their hospitals are as safe and effective as possible.

The patient information held in the BSUG database comprises name, hospital number and date of birth, together with clinical and surgical information (“patient identifiable data”). Because this information is confidential to each patient and is that patient’s personal data within the meaning of the Data Protection Act 1998,we do not disclose patient identifiable data to BSUG without written consent.

The benefits the BSUG database may bring to you:

• Improving patient awareness of the outcomes of incontinence and prolapse surgery

• Finding out how long the different operative procedures last

• Helping to identify individual patients who have received an implant and where there may be a need for urgent clinical review

The BSUG database will also be used to bring additional long-term benefits by:

• Providing feedback to gynaecological surgeons and teams to help maintain high clinical standards

• Promoting open publication about the performance of implants used in operations.

• Providing feedback on implant performance to regulatory authorities

• Providing feedback to suppliers about the performance of their implants

• Monitoring and comparing the performance of hospitals

Data collection – its security and confidentiality

The BSUG database uses an electronic system for data collection. The data is sent securely to a protected database, avoiding the need to send paper records through the post, to ensure your data receives maximum protection.

Your personal information is confidential and cannot be used outside of the BSUG database. Strict procedures are in place to protect your information and keep it confidential; it will only be available to you and your surgeon. If you wish, you can obtain access to a copy of your own record in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998.

BSUG database consent

I consent to:

1. The processing of my patient identifiable data for the research and auditing purposes described in this information sheet.
2. The disclosure by BSUGs of my patient identifiable data to its IT service provider or any future IT service provider, where such IT service provider has:
   
   (a) Agreed to adopt appropriate technical and organisation measures to protect the
   security of my patient identifiable data and only to process it in accordance with
   BSUGDL’s instructions;
   (b) Been instructed NOT to store my patient identifiable data on a server which is
   located outside of the United Kingdom; and
   (c) Been informed of the existence of my legal right to confidence in respect of my
   patient identifiable data.
   
3. The disclosure of my patient identifiable data to the consultant team (and the NHS Trust employing that consultant team) who disclosed it to BSUG.
4. The disclosure of my patient identifiable data to BSUG or any legal entity which is wholly owned by BSUG, for processing in accordance with the consents in this section.

Your participation is voluntary

The form asks for your consent for your personal information to be recorded by the BSUG database.

Your participation in the BSUG database is entirely voluntary. You can request access to view your entry on the BSUG database from your consultant team.

If you agree and then change your mind, you may revoke this permission at any time by sending a written notice to your consultant OR to the address below. If you do not agree, your data will not be entered.

BSUG Database Limited
c/o BSUG
Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists
27 Sussex Place
Regents Park
London
NW1 4RG

Things I need to know before I have my operation

Patient experience

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T: 01642 835964
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The James Cook University Hospital, Marton Road, Middlesbrough, TS4 3BW.
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