A urogynecologist has the ability to accurately diagnose the type and severity of uterine and vaginal prolapse with the help of medical history, a specialized clinical examination and a specialized ultrasonic check of the patient’s pelvic floor.
Dr. Ioannis K. Raptis is an accredited surgeon (MIC II) for performing advanced laparoscopic and hysteroscopic procedures, certified by the German Society for Gynecological Endoscopy (AGE).
For the majority of patients, laparoscopic–robotic procedures can be performed without the need for hospitalization.
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Uterine and vaginal prolapse is the gradual sliding of the uterus and/or parts of the vagina towards the vaginal entrance, occurring when muscles and ligaments relax and are unable to maintain the normal anatomy of the area. Along with the uterus, other neighboring organs, such as the urinary bladder and intestines may also recede.
Common causes include multiple childbirths with injuries during labor, chronic pressure in the abdominal area (often due to constipation, obesity, or standing upright) and aging. It is about a common gynecological problem, with research showing that 4 out of 10 women experience it, mainly after menopause.
The symptoms are not always indicative of the severity of the problem. It is possible for women who have a minor prolapse to suffer from intense discomfort, while at the same time, patients with advanced-stage prolapse may only present mild symptoms. These may include:
The treatment for early-stage uterine and vaginal prolapse can be conservative and includes specialized pelvic floor exercises combined with possible weight loss. In extensive prolapse, the use of vaginal pessaries can be a good solution for patients who cannot undergo surgery (due to old age, severe comorbidity, etc.) or as a temporary solution for the period between diagnosis and surgical intervention.
In cases where surgical treatment is indicated, laparoscopic Pectopexy is the most modern and safe method for the upliftment of the female vagina.
During laparoscopic Pectopexy, the vagina is elevated using a specialized, non-absorbable mesh, which is endoscopically secured to the pelvic sidewalls, restoring the correct anatomy and eliminating any symptoms. The placement of the mesh on the sides of the pelvis and not at the base of the spinal column, as the older method (laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy) stipulates, removes the risk of injury to vessels and nerves in the area and does not cause chronic abdominal pain in the patient. Finally, in contrast again to the older method, the new method is safely implemented in obese patients,too.
A urogynecologist has the ability to accurately diagnose the type and severity of uterine and vaginal prolapse with the help of medical history, a specialized clinical examination and a specialized ultrasonic check of the patient’s pelvic floor.
Recovery after laparoscopic Pectopexy is painless and immediate, with the patient returning to her daily activities within 24 hours.
The first six weeks after the surgery is a very important period, during which the patient should not engage in any sexual activity and ideally should not lift any weight over 10 kilograms.
