We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Procedures

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What is Colpopexy?

A. Pasbjerg
By
Updated: Mar 03, 2024
Views: 54,592
Share

Colpopexy is a surgical procedure used to reposition a woman’s vagina that has moved from its correct physical location. Women may experience what is known as vaginal prolapse, where the vaginal structure weakens and falls in on itself; it may even protrude externally through the vaginal opening. This is a fairly common occurrence in women who have had a hysterectomy, though it can also happen as a result of menopause or childbirth. The procedure, also called vaginopexy or vaginofixation, involves attaching the vagina to surrounding tissue in the abdomen to hold it in place. There are two major types of colpopexy, abdominal sacral colpopexy and vaginal sacrospinous colpopexy.

Vaginal sacrospinous colpopexy is performed transvaginally, meaning entry to the body is made through the vagina itself. This allows repairs to be made in a minimally invasive fashion. The vagina is sutured to the sacrospinous ligament to hold it in place. Sometimes a vaginal hysterectomy may be done at the same time to limit the risk of recurring prolapse.

Abdominal sacral colpopexy is a more invasive approach that involves an incision in the abdominal wall. The vagina is repositioned to the appropriate location and then mesh is sutured in place to support it. The mesh can be made of synthetic material, or the patient’s own fascia may be used, depending on the surgeon’s preference. Despite the fact that it is a more invasive procedure than the sacrospinous suspension approach, research indicates that it may be more successful long term in preventing a recurrence of vaginal prolapse. In some instances, the sacrospinous procedure may be tried first, but if it is unsuccessful in keeping the vagina in place, then the abdominal sacral surgery is used.

As with any surgery, there are risks involved with colpopexy. The surgeon needs to be careful of the many surrounding structures, such as the urethra, bladder, and rectum, to ensure they are positioned correctly in relation to the vagina; correct positioning of the mesh in the abdominal sacral procedure is also vital to avoid damaging nearby tissue and organs. Infection at the surgical site is always a possibility. Vaginal sacrospinous attachment that is not done properly may put pressure on nerves in the area and cause pain. There is also a risk that the mesh or sutures used to support the vagina may erode over time and need to be repaired or replaced.

Share
The Health Board is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
A. Pasbjerg
By A. Pasbjerg
Andrea Pasbjerg, a The Health Board contributor, holds an MBA from West Chester University of Pennsylvania. Her business background helps her to create content that is both informative and practical, providing readers with valuable insights and strategies for success in the business world.
Discussion Comments
By Grivusangel — On Jan 20, 2014

I've been seeing commercials about class action lawsuits naming transvaginal mesh as a cause of problems after surgery. I guess this is one of the conditions the mesh is intended to treat. Makes me wonder what the mesh is made of that causes the complications. Or maybe it's something else.

I suppose anything in the body can shift, but I guess I always thought of the vagina as being a fairly stationary organ, like the brain, or something. It's sort of unnerving to think it could be moved out of place, unless a woman was born with some kind of birth defect.

A. Pasbjerg
A. Pasbjerg
Andrea Pasbjerg, a The Health Board contributor, holds an MBA from West Chester University of Pennsylvania. Her business background helps her to create content that is both informative and practical, providing readers with valuable insights and strategies for success in the business world.
Share
https://www.thehealthboard.com/what-is-colpopexy.htm
Copy this link
The Health Board, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

The Health Board, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.