What is Pelvic Organ Prolapse (POP)
In women, the pelvic organs (uterus, bladder and rectum) are normally held in place by ligaments and muscles known as the pelvic floor. Overstretching can weaken those support structures. The pelvic organs can bulge (prolapse) from their natural position into the vagina. This is referred to as pelvic organ prolapse (POP). In some cases a prolapse may be large enough to protrude outside the vagina.
Varying degrees (stages or grades) and locations for pelvic organ prolapse exists. The most common types are explained in the following.
The bladder and/or urethra bulges into the front wall of the vagina.
The rectum (lower part of the large bowel) bulges into the back wall of the vagina.
The uterus drops or falls down into the vagina.
An enterocele occurs when the small intestines press against the back of the vagina towards the opening.
After surgical uterus removal (hysterectomy) the vaginal vault is left. The top of the vagina (or vault) bulges down when a vagina vault prolapse occurs.
Pelvic organ prolapse is a common problem in women. Clinical symptoms appear in 3-6% of all women. In line with an ageing population it is expected that this proportion will rise. Risk factors for pelvic organ prolapse include:
Pelvic Organ Prolapse can reduce the Quality of Life (QoL) significantly. Symptoms can be:
Your treatment will depend on the type of Pelvic Organ Prolapse you have and the severity of your symptoms. Conservative treatments, which do not involve medicines or surgery, are tried first.
After this, medicine or surgery may be considered.
Surgical treatment is possible without mesh implants or with mesh implants
[1] Mistrangelo et al. (2014)
InGYNious single-incision advanced pelvic floor repair with hexapro-mesh.
[2] Brandt et al. (2019)
1-Year Outcome After Treatment of Uterovaginal Prolapse With a 6-Point Fixation Mesh.
[3] Kuszka et al. (2020)
3 Year outcome after treatment of uterovaginal prolapse with a 6-point fixation mesh.
[4] Deltetto et al. (2021)
Effectiveness and Safety of Posterior Vaginal Repair with Single-Incision, Ultralightweight, Monofilament Propylene Mesh: First Evidence from a Case Series with Short-Term Results.
[5] Mangano et al. (2021)
More than a sacrospinous ligament fixation for prosthetic treatment of utero-vaginal prolapse: a six-point fixation mesh.
[6] Deltetto et al. (2021)
Efficacy and safety of an ultralight, six-point, polypropylene vaginal mesh in the treatment of urogenital prolapse.
[7] Data on file
[8] Weiße et al. (2021)
Bilaterale sacrospinale Zerviko-/Kolpofixation mittels BSC-Mesh im Rahmen der vaginalen Deszensuschirurgie – eine retrospektive Datenanalyse.
[9] Ollig et al. (2014)
Die Kolposuspension mit BSC direct – Minimal invasiv, maximal effektiv.
[10] Ollig et al.
Die Bilaterale Sakrospinale Kolposuspension – BSC wenig Nebenwirkungen.
[11] Castaño et al. (2015)
Colposuspensión bilateral del ligamento sacroespinoso con malla BSC asociada a colporrafia anterior para el tratamiento del prolapso anterior y apical. Nuestra experiencia.
[12] Christmann-Schmid et al. (2018)
Laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy with or without midurethral sling insertion: Is a two-step approach justified? A prospective study.
