Vaginal A & P

(Anterior & Posterior)

PURPOSE

This is a surgical procedure used to repair a vaginal wall prolapse or herniation.   In the case of an Anterior Colporrhaphy, a cystocele or urethrocele is repaired by tightening the anterior vaginal wall.  This surgery by itself does not treat stress incontinence -- an additional procedure is needed in women who have stress urinary incontinence along with a cystocele.

A similar procedure, a Posterior Colporrhaphy, can be performed on the posterior wall of the vagina to repair a rectocele.

To perform the anterior colporrhaphy, an incision is made through the vagina to release a portion of the anterior (front) vaginal wall that is attached to the base of the bladder.

The pubocervical fascia (the supportive tissue between the vagina and bladder) is folded and stitched to bring the bladder and urethra into the proper position.  There are several variations of this procedure that may be necessary, based on the severity of the prolapse.  

In performing a posterior colporrhaphy, an incision is made through the vagina to release a portion of the posterior (back) vaginal wall that is attached to the rectum.  The puborectal fascia (the supportive tissue between the vagina and the rectum) is folded and stitched to bring the rectum into the proper position.

Any operative procedure under the best of conditions carries with it potential risks, hazards, and complications.  These must be anticipated on a statistical basis.  The risks may be divided into intraoperative and postoperative complications as well as anesthetic complications.