Medical experts say that as high as 45 percent of women who had undergone hysterectomy to repair a prolapse of the uterus may end up suffering a different kind of prolapse, referring to the prolapse of the vaginal vault. Making matters worse, complication rates for those who had vaginal vault prolapse repairs may be higher compared to the other organ prolapse, when these conditions are treated using vaginal mesh devices during the actual procedure or after the hysterectomy operation. An example of this was Linda Gross who experienced complications after her hysterectomy surgery where she was also implanted with a vaginal mesh without being informed of the risks associated with the use of Prolift vaginal mesh device.

The top of the vagina or known also as vaginal vault may no longer have any support when the uterus is removed during a hysterectomy procedure. Without the uterus to hold up the vaginal vault, it then gradually falls toward the vaginal opening which results in a condition called vaginal vault prolapse. This condition may contribute to the protrusion of the vaginal vault through the vaginal opening causing the vagina to turn “inside out” since the vaginal walls may also be weakened.

A sense of heaviness in the pelvic area which they likened to “something coming down” or “feeling pressure in the vagina” is often experienced by women suffering from vaginal vault prolapse. Tending to get worse when engaging in activities, patients also report of mild to severe back pains. Standing and walking may also be difficult due to a soft mass bulge in the vaginal canal or a protrusion in the vaginal opening.

Other symptoms may include vaginal bleeding and an assortment of urinary problems. Involuntary flow of urine, difficulty in controlling urination, and recurrent urinary tract infections are among these problems. The ability to void or defecate, in some cases, may be hampered by the bulge in the vaginal canal.

Majority of these cases may require surgical intervention although a few may be managed by conservative means. Treatment of vaginal vault prolapse through surgical procedures involves the attachment of the top of the vagina to the lower back spine, ligaments in the pelvis, or the lower abdominal wall. Procedure may be done through the vagina or the abdomen using artificial materials such as vaginal mesh or the nearby tissues.

With a very low rate of success, surgeons consider the surgical repair to treat vaginal vault prolapse as very difficult and challenging. Based on records, there is a high incidence of recurrence of vaginal vault prolapse after surgical procedures to treat the condition. No method has yet been found that can satisfactorily address the problem although at the moment there are numerous techniques in handling the surgery.

As it is, patients have to endure the pain and suffering and this even gets worse when this condition is treated through vaginal mesh surgery. Among organ prolapse surgeries, vaginal vault repairs using mesh devices may have the highest failure rates. Very common among the complications are the dreaded mesh erosion and severe pain, including that which may be felt during sexual intercourse.

References:

womhealth.org.au/conditions-and-treatments/genital-prolapse

emedicinehealth.com/vaginal-prolapse/article

women.webmd.com/repair-of-the-vaginal-wall-vaginal-vault-prolapse