Anterior vaginal wall repair

Alternative names:

A/P repair; anterior and/or posterior colporrhaphy; anterior and/or posterior vaginal wall repair; vaginal wall repair

Expectations after surgery:

Women treated with this procedure for stress urinary incontinence have a 60% chance of no longer losing urine with sneezing or coughing. This improvement will usually last for years, but in some cases the tissue weakens with time and other procedures may be necessary to treat the symptoms.

Convalescence:

You should avoid activities that cause an increase in abdominal pressure, such as straining, sneezing, and coughing. Try to tighten your pelvic muscles when coughing or sneezing to support the muscles. You may need to urinate at least every 2 to 3 hours, or perform clean intermittent self catheterization (CISC), to keep your bladder from getting too full and putting pressure on the stitches.

You should avoid any activities that require lifting or straining. You may need to take stool softeners or gentle laxatives to prevent constipation and straining with bowel movements.

Updated Date: 02/09/00

Updated by:

J. Gordon Lambert, MD, Associate Medical Director, Utah Health Informatics and adam.com editorial