Enterocele Repair
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Jun 5, 2024.
What do I need to know about enterocele repair?
Enterocele repair is surgery to stop part of your intestine from bulging into your vagina.
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How do I prepare for surgery?
- Your surgeon will tell you how to prepare. You may need to arrange to take several weeks off from work. You will not be able to lift anything heavy, drive, or be physically active for several weeks after surgery. Arrange to have someone drive you home when you are discharged. You may also need to arrange for help around the house or with childcare.
- Tell your surgeon about all medicines you currently take. He or she will tell you if you need to stop any medicine for surgery, and when to stop. He or she will tell you which medicines to take or not take on the day of surgery.
- Tell your surgeon about all your allergies, including medicines and anesthesia.
- Your provider may tell you to shower the night before your surgery. He or she may tell you to use a certain soap to help prevent a surgical site infection.
- Your surgeon may tell you not to eat or drink anything after midnight on the day of surgery.
What will happen during surgery?
- You may be given general anesthesia to keep you asleep and free from pain during surgery. You may instead be given spinal anesthesia to numb you from the waist down. You may still feel pressure or pushing during surgery, but you should not feel any pain. Surgery is usually done through the vagina. It may instead be done through small incisions in your abdomen.
- An incision will be made in the back wall of your vagina. It will continue over the bulging area. Your surgeon will remove the vaginal skin covering this area. He or she will move the intestine back into place. The vaginal skin will be closed and tightened to repair the stretched or torn area. Connective tissues will be tightened. Your surgeon may support the repaired area by attaching it to a muscle or ligament in your pelvis. Mesh or a graft may be used if your tissues are not strong enough to hold the repair.
- The incisions will be closed. Gauze will be put into your vagina to help control bleeding. It may stay in place until the day after surgery.
What should I expect after surgery?
- Medicines may be given to prevent or treat pain or a bacterial infection.
- You will need to wear sanitary pads for vaginal bleeding that occurs after surgery.
- You will be helped to walk as soon as possible after surgery. This will help to prevent blood clots in your legs.
What are the risks of enterocele repair surgery?
You may bleed more than expected or develop an infection. Nerve, blood vessel, bowel, or uterus damage may happen. Your bladder or urethra may be damaged. You may have trouble urinating. Even with surgery, you may develop another enterocele or other pelvic organ prolapse. Mesh may damage tissues in your vagina, or cause bleeding and discharge. Surgery may not relieve pain in your vagina, back, or hips caused by the enterocele. You may continue to have pain during sex. A fistula (abnormal opening between the vagina and rectum) may form. You may also develop a life-threatening blood clot.
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