Ask Us Anything: How is Vaginal Prolapse Treated?

"How is vaginal prolapse treated?"

Dr. Ali Ghomi Responds:

Vaginal prolapse occurs when the supporting tissue of the pelvis weakens and the walls of the vagina collapse.

The treatment of vaginal prolapse is typically divided into surgical and nonsurgical management.

Nonsurgical management would involve the insertion of a vaginal pessary (a plastic device to reduce the prolapse) versus physical therapy of the pelvic floor muscle groups.

Surgical management would involve either a vaginal approach versus a laparoscopic/robotic approach. A surgical approach could be with or without a hysterectomy.

Transvaginal mesh insertion can also be utilized with satisfactory outcome, however, at the expense of potential complications of the mesh.

No approach has been found to be superior to the other approaches.

The chosen surgical approach would depend on a number of factors, including the degree of prolapse, the expertise of the surgeon, and any other confounding factors, such as prior surgical history and medical conditions.

— Dr. Ali Ghomi

Dr. Ghomi is the Director of Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery and Chair of The Robotic Surgical Committee at Sisters of Charity Hospital. He is the only physician in Western New York who performs Sacrocolpopexy Prolapse surgery using the da Vinci® robot. Sacrocolpopexy is a proven “gold standard” procedure worldwide to repair severe pelvic prolapse. Click here to learn more about Catholic Health's OB/GYN services.

Dr. Ghomi sees patients at the M. Steven Piver, M.D. Center for Women’s Health & Wellness in Buffalo.

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