How is a uterine prolapse surgery performed?

Written by Gao Tian
General Surgery
Updated on September 10, 2024
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Regarding how to perform surgery for uterine prolapse, first, we must define what uterine prolapse is. It mainly refers to the descent from the normal position through the vagina, with the external cervix reaching below the level of the ischial spines, or even completely protruding outside the vaginal opening, which is called uterine prolapse. Therefore, preoperative assessments need to be conducted before surgery to check for inflammation and other methods. Then, there are two types of treatments: surgical and non-surgical. Non-surgical treatment mainly includes pelvic floor muscle exercises and physical therapy such as placing a uterine pessary. Surgical treatment involves surgical intervention based on the location of the prolapse.

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Written by Sun Shan Shan
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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What are the symptoms of uterine prolapse?

Patients with mild uterine prolapse generally do not exhibit symptoms. Severe prolapse can cause pulling on the ligaments and fasciae, resulting in pelvic congestion, with patients experiencing varying degrees of soreness in the lower back or a sensation of heaviness. Symptoms become noticeable after standing for extended periods or after fatigue but significantly lessen after resting in bed. It is crucial for patients experiencing uterine prolapse to seek timely medical examination at a hospital to determine the severity of the condition. Patients with mild uterine prolapse can also use traditional Chinese medicine or acupuncture and other physical therapies to promote the recovery of pelvic floor muscle tension and relieve local symptoms. If the prolapse is severe, surgical treatment may be necessary, and it is generally advised to avoid cold and fatigue.

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Written by Li Lin
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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Causes of uterine prolapse

The main causes of uterine prolapse include pregnancy, childbirth injury to the pelvic floor muscles, long-term increase in abdominal pressure, such as chronic coughing, habitual constipation, and difficulty defecating. Prolonged heavy lifting. Long periods of squatting or standing, large pelvic tumors causing downward displacement of the uterus, or poor development of pelvic floor tissues and degenerative changes accompanied by prolapse of other organs. In menopausal women, due to the decline in sex hormone levels, the pelvic floor tissues may atrophy and degenerate, which can also lead to uterine prolapse or exacerbate its severity.

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Written by Shen Li Wen
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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What are the causes of uterine prolapse?

There are many causes of uterine prolapse in women, for instance, the most common one occurs during pregnancy and childbirth, especially when methods such as forceps delivery are used, which may damage the pelvic floor muscles or injure the vaginal wall. This causes damage to the pelvic floor muscles, and if not properly recovered postpartum, it can lead to prolapse. Additionally, some women might suffer from conditions like chronic pharyngitis, chronic bronchitis, long-term coughing, or have liver diseases or malignant tumors leading to a significant build-up of ascites. Frequent heavy physical labor or even simple obesity can increase abdominal pressure, causing uterine prolapse.

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Written by Zhang Xiu Rong
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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How to recover from uterine prolapse?

Uterine prolapse can be classified into first-degree, second-degree, and third-degree prolapse. Typically, first-degree prolapse is considered mild and can generally be managed with a pessary or by performing exercises to strengthen the anal levator muscles and pelvic floor rehabilitation movements, which usually achieve the treatment purpose for mild uterine prolapse. Moderate or severe uterine prolapse must be treated according to the specific condition. In cases of severe prolapse, surgical options can be considered. Common procedures include uterine ligament suspension or vaginal hysterectomy. The treatment for uterine prolapse generally depends on age. For older individuals with severe prolapse, vaginal hysterectomy is often recommended. For younger patients with severe prolapse who wish to return to normal, uterine ligament suspension surgery is generally an option.

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Written by Shen Li Wen
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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Natural childbirth uterine prolapse manifestations

After vaginal childbirth, women may experience uterine prolapse due to being over-fatigued or engaging in physical labor too soon. Most women with mild symptoms show no clinical signs. As the symptoms worsen, some women may feel a sense of heaviness in the lower abdomen, and this sensation intensifies when squatting or using the restroom, with a feeling of heaviness in the vulva. Some women may feel something protruding from the vagina, which can be retracted back into the vagina when lying flat; this is uterine prolapse after childbirth. Typically, this condition can be improved by performing anal contraction exercises.