Cystocele Repair

A cystocele is a type of pelvic organ prolapse – where organs essentially slip out of place – that typically occurs as a result of damage to or weakening of supporting tissues during vaginal childbirth. Specifically, a cystocele is what happens when the bladder presses against and moves the vaginal wall; it is often accompanied by a condition called a urethrocele, where the urethra’s surrounding tissues slip down into the vagina as well. Symptoms of this occurrence may never become problematic, and usually take years to develop. They include urinary incontinence, pain during intercourse and problems with releasing urine. When surgical intervention is deemed necessary to address these symptoms, the repair can usually be made through the vagina rather than via abdominal incision. This procedure involves pulling the loose tissue tighter together and providing greater support to the vaginal wall, sometimes using graft materials such as a polypropylene mesh.