Anterior vaginal wall repair

Definition

Anterior vaginal wall repair is surgery that tightens the front (anterior) wall of the vagina. It is done to help with the sinking of the bladder into the vagina (cystocele), or the sinking of the urethra into the vagina (urethrocele or urethral hypermobility).

Alternative Names

A/P repair; Vaginal wall repair; Anterior and/or posterior vaginal wall repair; Colporrhaphy- repair of vaginal wall; Cystocele repair

Description

This procedure may be done while you are under general or spinal anesthesia. Under general anesthesia, you will be unconscious and unable to feel pain. With spinal anesthesia, you will be awake, but you will be numb from the waist down and you will not feel pain.

Usually, an incision (cut) is made through the front wall of your vagina.

• Your bladder is moved back to its normal location.
• Your vaginal wall may be folded, or part of it may be cut away.
• Sutures (stitches) are made in the tissue between your vagina and bladder. These sutures will hold the walls of your vagina in the correct position.
• Your doctor may place synthetic (man-made) material between your bladder and vagina.
• If needed, sutures attach the walls of the vagina to the tissue on the side of your pelvis.

Sometimes, your doctor also makes an incision in your belly. This incision may be up and down or across.

Risks

Risks for any surgery are:

• Incision infection or the incision opens up
• Blood clots in the legs that may travel to the lungs
• Breathing problems
• Bleeding
• Other infection

Risks for this surgery are:

• Damage to the urethra, bladder, or vagina
• Irritable bladder
• Changes in the vagina (prolapsed vagina)
• Urine leakage from the vagina or to the skin (fistula)