Pelvic organ prolapse Dr Hiba Ahmed Suhail M.B. Ch. B./F.I.B.O.G Dep. Of Gyn. and Obst.. College of medicine University of Mosul

Definition A prolapse is a protrusion of an organ or structure beyond its normal anatomical confines. The pelvis is devided into three compartments Anterior :contain urethra and bladder Middle :contain utrerine or vault descent and enterocele Posterior :contain rectum.

Classification Anterior vaginal wall prolapse Urethrocele: urethral descent. Cystocele: bladder descent Cystourethrocele: descent of bladder and urethra. Posterior vaginal wall. Rectocele: rectal descent Enterocele: small bowel descent Apical vaginal prolapse Uterovaginal: uterine descent with inversion of vaginal apex occur when the lateral cervical ligaments become weakened. Vault prolapse: post-hysterectomy inversion of vaginal apex,due to inadequate support by lateral cervical ligaments

Prevalence Uterovaginal prolapse is extremely common.  prolapse affects per cent of multiparous  2 per cent of nulliparous women.  A woman has an 11 per cent lifetime risk of having an operation for prolapse.

Grading Three degrees of prolapse are described and the lowest or most dependent portion of the prolapse is assessed whilst the patient is straining (in the uterovaginal prolapse, the most dependent portion of the prolapse is the cervix) 1st: descent within the vagina 2nd: descent to the introits 3rd: descent outside the introits.

Aetiology The vital structures for the maintenance of position of the pelvic organs are:  The connective tissue lining the pelvic wall  levator ani  intact nerve of the levator ani  Intact cardinal and uterosacral ligaments These are influenced by pregnancy childbirth and ageing(acquired ) or congenital connective tissue defects

1- Congenital factor Two per cent of symptomatic prolapse occurs in nulliparous women,implying that there may be a congenital weakness of connective tissue. 2- Racial variation A decrease in prevalence of prolapse among black women may be due to to better connective tissue or lumber lordosis that encourage divertion of abdominal forces towards abdominal wall rather than pelvis

3- Childbirth and raised intra - abdominal pressure The single major factor leading to the development of genital prolapse appears to be vaginal delivery which lead to pelvic support damage ( nerve,muscles and connective tissue ). prolapse increases with the increasing parity which was up to seven times more common in women who had more than seven children compared to those who had one.

Prolapse occurring during pregnancy is rare but is mediated by:  the effects of progesterone and relaxin.  In the increase in intra-abdominal pressure will put an added strain on the pelvic floor. a raised intra-abdominal pressure outside of pregnancy ( e.g. chronic cough or constipation ) is also a risk factor.

4- Ageing The process of ageing can result in loss of collagen and weakness of fascia and connective tissue. These effects are noted particularly during the postmenopause as a consequence of oestrogen deficiency.

5- Postoperative Poor attention to vaginal vault support at the time of hysterectomy leads to vault prolapse. Mechanical displacement as a result of gynaecological surgery such as colposuspension may lead to the development of a rectocele or enterocele. 6- Others Vitamine defeciency Smoking steroid therapy

Clinical features  Women usually present with non-specific symptoms may help to determine the type of Risk factors should be looked for.

Symptoms of prolapse depends on the type &site of prolapse Non - specific : Feeling of a lump in the vagina which usually worse towards the end of the day& relieved by lying down. Local discomfort Backache Bleeding/infection if ulcerated Dyspareunia.. Specific A-Uterine descent cause low backache,protrusion of cervix and blood stained discharge. B-Enterocele &vault prolapse may produce vague symptoms of discomfort C- Rectocele: incomplete bowel emptying, digitation,

D-Cystocele may lead to 1- Discomfort & urinary symptoms: 2- Stress incontinance if there is descent of urethrovesical junction. 3- Voiding difficulty can occur if cystocele is present & bladder neck is normal in position so the woman has to reduce the mass digitally in order to pass urine. 4- Over flow incontinence with incomplete emptying of bladder 5- Alarge cystocele may lead to increased frequency due to persistant residual urine or recurrent urinary tract infection because of stasis. 6- Urgency & frequency are found in association with cystocele which may developed as self induced habit to keep the bladder empty.

Abdominal examination Abdominal examination should be performed to exclude organomegaly or abdominopelvic mass that lead to increase intra abdominal pressure.

Vaginal may be obvious when examining the patient in the dorsal position if it protrudes beyond the introitus; ulceration and/or atrophy may be apparent. The anterior and posterior vaginal walls and cervical descent should be assessed with the patient straining in the left lateral position, using Sims' manual pelvic examination should be performed to exclude pelvic rectal and vaginal digital examination can be an aid to differentiate rectocele from enterocele

Differential diagnosis Congenital or inclusion vaginal dermoid cyst Urethral diverticulum. large uterine polyp. Secondary from the uterine tumor

Investigations * If urinary symptoms are present, urine microscopy, cystometry and cystoscopy is considered * If urination difficulty present and renal failure be suspected, serum urea and creatinine should be evaluated * Ultrasound performed to diagnosed abdominopelvic mass * Pap smear

Prevention Shortening the second stage of delivery Reducing traumatic delivery may result in fewer women developing a prolapse. Women should avoid smoking,constipation and heavy work. The benefits of episiotomy and hormone replacement therapy at the menopause have not been substantiated.

Treatment The choice of treatment depends the patient's of fitness. Prior to specific treatment attempts should be made to correct obesity, chronic cough or constipation. If the prolapse is ulcerated, a 7-day course of topical oestrogen should be administered If infection present a course of antibiotics..

Medical (conservative ) # Silicon-rubber-based ring pessaries, they are inserted into the vagina and need replacement at annual intervals. # Shelf pessaries are rarely used but may be useful in women who cannot retain a ring pessary.

Indications for conservative treatment : Patient's wish As a therapeutic test Childbearing not complete Medically unfit During and after pregnancy (awaiting involution) While awaiting surgery.

Complications of conservative treatment: #vaginal ulceration and bleeding. # infection. #Incarceration. #Fistula formation

Surgery : #Is the main stay in the treatment of prolapse. #The aim of surgical repair is to restore anatomy and function. # Approach : the vaginal, abdominal and laparoscopic.

@Anterior colporraphy(cystourethrocele ) Anterior repair (colporrhaphy) is the most commonly performed surgical procedure but should be avoided if there is concurrent stress incontinence. An anterior vaginal wall incision is made and the fascial defect allowing the bladder to herniate through is identified and closed. With the bladder position restored, any redundant vaginal epithelium is excised and the incision closed.

@Posterior colporraphy (rectocele ) Is common performed procedure. A posterior vaginal wall incision is made and the fascial defect allowing the rectum to herniate through is identified and close with the rectal position restored, any redundant vaginal epithelium is excised and the incision The surgical principles are similar to those of anterior and posterior repair but the peritoneal sac containing the small bowel should be excised..

@Uterovaginal prolapse Vaginal hysterectomy with adequate support of the vault to the uterosacral ligaments is sufficient If the woman does not wish to conserve her uterus for fertility If uterine conservation is required, the Manchester operation and sacrohysteropexy 1-. The Manchester operation involves partial amputation of the cervix. 2- Sacrohysteropexy is an abdominal procedure and involves attachment of a synthetic mesh from the uterocervical junction to the sacrum.

@Vault prolapse Sacrocolpopexy is an abdominal procedure in which a mesh is used to attached the vaginal vault to the sacrum. Sacrospinous ligament fixation is a vaginal rocedure in which the vault of the vagina is sutured to one or other sacrospinous ligament