When the muscles and ligaments in the pelvic floor weaken for any reason and can no longer give the uterus the support it needs, the condition called “uterine prolapse” appears. The uterus, deprived of this support, gradually slips towards the vagina and in some cases comes out of the vagina.
Although it is seen frequently in women who have had more than one vaginal birth or who have entered the menopause, uterine prolapse can occur in women of almost any age.
Attention: uterine prolapse is in many cases not alone. The prolapse of other organs can accompany it!!!
In many cases uterine prolapse is accompanied by the bladder and the rectum (where the stool is finally stored). Therefore they must certainly be assessed in detail during the examination. This detailed assessment forms the most important first step affecting the success of the subsequent treatment process.
Uterine prolapse is assessed in four different stages according to its severity. The mild, moderate, severe and extreme stages of prolapse are easily distinguished from one another by their signs and complaints and by the gynaecological examination. Today, thanks to operations performed with robotic surgery, uterine prolapse can be completely treated.
The signs of uterine prolapse
First-degree (initial) prolapse generally gives no sign at all. It is often seen in women who have had a vaginal birth. However, with moderate prolapse the signs begin to appear. Among the most common signs are a feeling of heaviness in the pelvic area, organs coming out of the vagina as a mass, and in some patients urinary incontinence.
With uterine prolapse, both urinary incontinence and an inability to pass urine can be seen!!!
In addition, vaginal bleeding, recurrent bladder infection, constipation and difficulty during sexual intercourse are also among the signs of uterine prolapse. In first-degree prolapse, preventive treatments are generally preferred. However, in situations where the condition has progressed, surgery becomes unavoidable.
At the stage of extreme prolapse, a hysterectomy, in which the uterus is removed, is performed. In recent years this procedure can easily be carried out with robotic surgery.
The robotic surgery operation
Today robotic surgery is among the most frequently chosen methods for hysterectomy. Because it provides a three-dimensional and magnified image compared with the classic laparoscopic method, allows more delicate procedures and creates a comfortable operating environment for both the doctor and the patient, the operation can be carried out more successfully and in a shorter time with robotic surgery.
Does the uterus really have to be removed in uterine prolapse?
The uterus does not necessarily have to be removed for uterine prolapse. Uterine prolapse can be treated without removing the uterus, by suspending the uterus from the sound ligaments inside the abdomen. These difficult operations, which involve very fine details, can be performed more easily with robotic surgery.
In addition, carrying out the operation through a small incision with robotic surgery also considerably reduces the patient’s hospital stay and the recovery time after the operation.
Because the patient is treated with the smallest possible intervention in robotic surgery, the risk of damaging the surrounding tissues during the operation and the risk of complications in the area after the operation are greatly reduced.