We are sure that you have heard about issues caused by the use of surgical mesh in surgeries to correct pelvic organ prolapse and urinary incontinence. There are risks involved with using mesh in these cases and in 2011 the FDA published a warning regarding the placement and use of surgical mesh.
Pelvic organ prolapse is when one or more pelvic organs drop below their normal position and protrude into the vagina or push against the vaginal walls. This occurs when the supporting muscles and tissues of the pelvic floor no longer support the pelvic organs. There are many causes of prolapse that can include; pregnancy, labor and vaginal childbirth, obesity, chronic constipation, chronic cough, hysterectomy or other pelvic surgeries, smoking, menopause and occupations that require heavy lifting over a prolonged period of time. Some cases of prolapse do not cause symptoms and some women experience symptoms that disrupt their lives. Surgical repair is an excellent option for women who have symptoms that adversely affect their daily lives.
Drs. Barbee and Hilbert specialize in mesh-free vaginal reconstruction surgery to repair pelvic organ prolapse. They perform minimally invasive procedures that use advanced suturing techniques using the existing tissue, ligaments, and muscles of the pelvis for support. They perform the majority of these surgeries either vaginally or laparoscopically, which reduces recovery time over abdominal surgeries. They are able to eliminate the use of mesh in the vast majority of their surgeries. However, standard of care for surgical repair of stress incontinence does require use of a mesh sling. The FDA’s warning does not apply to this type of mesh and it has a lower complication rate.
If you have symptoms of pelvic organ prolapse, call our office to schedule a consultation with either Dr. Barbee or Hilbert and discuss both surgical and non-surgical options for treatment of this issue. Our patients who have had surgical repairs report that the procedure dramatically enhanced their quality of life!
To learn more about prolapse, click here.