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Pelvic Organ Prolapse: Surgery for Rectocele and EnteroceleProlapso del ³rgano p©lvico: Cirug­a para rectocele y enterocele

Pelvic Organ Prolapse: Surgery for Rectocele and Enterocele

Cutaway view of rectum and vagina

Rectocele is when the rectum bulges into the vagina. Enterocele is when the small intestine bulges into the vagina. The goal of surgery is to repair the problem and relieve your symptoms.

Cutaway view of rectum and vagina

The Surgical Procedure

To correct a rectocele, a posterior repair is done through the vagina. The rectum is restored to its normal position. Sutures (stitches) are placed between the vagina and the rectum. An enterocele can also be corrected during the posterior repair. To do this, the small intestine is moved away from the vagina. Sutures are then used to tie off the excess tissue that had bulged into the vagina.

Cutaway view of rectum and vagina
Posterior repair

Your Incisions

During surgery, the doctor reaches your pelvic organs through the vagina or the abdomen. An incision may be made in the vaginal wall. If incisions are made on the abdomen (lower belly), they can be vertical (up and down) or transverse (across).

Possible Risks and Complications of Surgery

  • Infection

  • Bleeding

  • Risks of anesthesia

  • Damage to nerves, muscles, or nearby pelvic structures

  • Blood clots

  • Prolapse of the pelvic organ or organs occurring again

 

Image
Incision made in vaginal wall
Image
Abdominal incisions

 

Date Last Reviewed: 2007-01-15T00:00:00-07:00

Date Last Modified: 2002-07-09T00:00:00-06:00

Pelvic Organ Prolapse: Surgery for Rectocele and EnteroceleProlapso del ³rgano p©lvico: Cirug­a para rectocele y enterocele

Pelvic Organ Prolapse: Surgery for Rectocele and Enterocele

Cutaway view of rectum and vagina

Rectocele is when the rectum bulges into the vagina. Enterocele is when the small intestine bulges into the vagina. The goal of surgery is to repair the problem and relieve your symptoms.

Cutaway view of rectum and vagina

The Surgical Procedure

To correct a rectocele, a posterior repair is done through the vagina. The rectum is restored to its normal position. Sutures (stitches) are placed between the vagina and the rectum. An enterocele can also be corrected during the posterior repair. To do this, the small intestine is moved away from the vagina. Sutures are then used to tie off the excess tissue that had bulged into the vagina.

Cutaway view of rectum and vagina
Posterior repair

Your Incisions

During surgery, the doctor reaches your pelvic organs through the vagina or the abdomen. An incision may be made in the vaginal wall. If incisions are made on the abdomen (lower belly), they can be vertical (up and down) or transverse (across).

Possible Risks and Complications of Surgery

  • Infection

  • Bleeding

  • Risks of anesthesia

  • Damage to nerves, muscles, or nearby pelvic structures

  • Blood clots

  • Prolapse of the pelvic organ or organs occurring again

 

Image
Incision made in vaginal wall
Image
Abdominal incisions

 

Date Last Reviewed: 2007-01-15T00:00:00-07:00

Date Last Modified: 2002-07-09T00:00:00-06:00