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What is a Sacrospinous Hysteropexy

Author

Emma Valentine

Updated on April 15, 2026

A sacrospinous hysteropexy involves supporting the uterus using stitches to fix it to a strong ligament inside the pelvis. The operation is performed through the vagina and is often performed at the same time as other prolapse operations such as anterior and posterior repair.

What is a laparoscopic Hysteropexy?

What is a laparoscopic hysteropexy? Hysteropexy involves lifting the prolapsed uterus back into its normal position. This is done by using a strip of synthetic mesh to lift the uterus and hold it in place.

What is a SSF surgery?

What is Sacrospinous Fixation (SSF)? It is an operation to treat a prolapsed womb or top of the vagina (in case of a previous hysterectomy). The procedure is performed through an incision in the back wall of the vagina.

Is prolapse surgery considered major surgery?

Vaginal prolapse surgery is a major surgery with serious risks and potential complications. You may have less invasive treatment options depending on your circumstances.

How do you do Sacrospinous fixation?

Through a cut in the vagina, stitches are placed into a strong ligament (sacrospinous ligament) in the pelvis and then to the cervix or vaginal vault. The stitches can be either permanent or slowly absorbed over time. Eventually they are replaced by scar tissue that then supports the vagina or uterus.

Can prolapse surgery be done laparoscopically?

Prolapse surgery also may be performed laparoscopically, through several small (about one-centimeter) incisions on the abdomen.

How much does a prolapse surgery cost?

The annual cost of surgery for pelvic organ prolapse in the United States was estimated as $1012 million (95% CI $775, $1251 million), comparable with the annual estimated direct costs of other common specific interventions (operations and hospitalizations) and ongoing disease management for prevalent health problems …

How long does a prolapse repair last?

Median follow-up was 136.7 months (range 75.8-258 months). Apical prolapse cure rate was 100%. The success rate for anterior and posterior vaginal compartment was 96 and 94% respectively. Urinary and sexual symptoms significantly improved.

How long does it take to heal from prolapse surgery?

You can expect to feel better and stronger each day. But you may get tired quickly and need pain medicine for a week or two. You may need about 4 to 6 weeks to fully recover from open surgery and 1 to 2 weeks to recover from laparoscopic surgery or vaginal surgery.

How many hours is prolapse surgery?

The length of operative time for laparoscopic colposuspension can vary greatly (3-5 hours) from patient to patient depending on the internal anatomy, shape of the pelvis, weight of the patient, and presence of scarring or inflammation in the pelvis due to infection or prior abdominal/pelvic surgery.

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What is sacrospinous suspension?

A sacrospinous ligament suspension is a surgical procedure to restore the support of the top of the vagina, most commonly after hysterectomy. It can be performed at the same time as a hysterectomy, or later on in life in women who have previously undergone a hysterectomy.

How is a Sacrocolpopexy performed?

In a sacrocolpopexy procedure, the surgeon attaches surgical mesh from the vagina to the sacrum (tail bone), which is the bone at the base of the spine. If a patient still has her uterus, the surgeon may decide to remove it, with or without leaving the cervix in place.

What is TLH?

Definition: Total Laparoscopic Hysterectomy (TLH) is an operation to remove the uterus (womb) and cervix with the aid of a small operating telescope, called a laparoscope. The laparoscope is inserted into the abdominal wall through a small incision and allows the doctor to examine the pelvis/abdomen.

What is a sacrospinous fixation?

A sacrospinous fixation involves supporting the vaginal vault using stitches to fix it to a strong ligament inside the pelvis. The operation is performed through the vagina and is often performed at the same time as other prolapse operations such as vaginal hysterectomy, anterior and posterior repair.

What does sacrospinous mean?

Definition of sacrospinous : of or relating to a ligament on each side passing from the back of the sacrum to the spine of the ischium and converting the greater sciatic notch of the innominate bone into the greater sciatic foramen.

Does sacrospinous fixation use mesh?

The sacrospinous ligament fixation was performed with a mesh interposition between sacrospinous ligament complex and vaginal apex. The mesh was extended to anterior and posterior vaginal wall for the repair of concurrent cystocele and rectocele, if indicated.

Is prolapsed uterus surgery covered by insurance?

Will my insurance cover the prolapse procedure? Most insurance plans, including Medicare, cover these procedures.

What kind of doctor does bladder prolapse surgery?

While obstetrician-gynecologists (Ob/Gyns) commonly perform pelvic prolapse surgeries, female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgeons (urogynecologists) specialize in these types of surgeries.

How long is recovery from pelvic floor surgery?

Healing takes around 3 months, so during this time you should avoid any task that can put pressure on the repair i.e. lifting, straining, vigorous exercise, coughing and constipation. You should plan to take 6 weeks off work, but this all depends on the type of role you have.

How long does it take to recover from Rectocele surgery?

Typical recovery for the procedure is 2-3 weeks. Your doctor may prescribe pain medication to make you feel more comfortable. You can expect to resume normal physical activity within hours of your procedure. But you should not have sex until 6 weeks after surgery.

Does walking make prolapse worse?

Prolapse symptoms may be worse at different times in the day. Some women notice that they feel more pressure after walking or standing for long periods of time.

What happens when prolapse surgery fails?

The most frequent complications included erosion through the vagina, infection, pain, urinary problems and recurrence of the prolapse and/or incontinence. In some cases, erosion of the mesh and scarring of the vagina led to discomfort and pain, including pain during sexual intercourse.

Can you bend after prolapse surgery?

You may need to limit forward bending during early healing (i.e. first 6 weeks) after prolapse surgery. This doesn’t mean that you can’t bend forwards. Most women can perform limited bending forward quite safely during their recovery at home after prolapse surgery to wash and dress.

Is walking good after prolapse surgery?

It’s important to get out of bed and start walking as soon as you’re sufficiently recovered after prolapse surgery. The goal of walking after prolapse surgery is to minimise physical decline and avoid common postoperative complications. Walking after surgery is never directed towards increasing fitness or weight loss.

What is the success rate of Rectocele surgery?

The success for this procedure to correct the bulge is over 80-90 percent depending on the technique used. Symptoms improve or resolve between 60-80 percent of the time. Light vaginal bleeding can occur as the incision heals and some discomfort with bowel movements is normal, initially.

Why is prolapse worse some days?

After a hysterectomy, when the uterus has been removed, the top of the vagina (known as the vault) can bulge downwards. Prolapse symptoms are often worse at the end of a day, with prolonged standing or at times of increased intra-abdominal pressure e.g. heavy lifting, coughing or straining to go to the toilet.

How long is the recovery for a prolapsed bladder?

You may stay in the hospital from 1 to 2 days. You may go home with a catheter in place. You can most likely return to your normal activities in about 6 weeks. Avoid strenuous activity, such as heavy lifting or long periods of standing, for the first 3 months, and increase your activity level gradually.

Can I run after prolapse surgery?

How Long to Wait Before Returning to Exercise. Always wait until you have your surgeon’s approval before returning to general exercise. The best time for you to return to exercise is something you’ll need to discuss with your surgeon during your postoperative visit approximately 6 weeks after your prolapse surgery.

How successful is pelvic prolapse surgery?

Pelvic prolapse surgery is successful. About 85 to 95% of women have long-term success with pelvic prolapse surgery. The success rate is not 100% because risk factors can remain after surgery. This includes factors such as chronic constipation, weak connective tissue, and muscle and nerve problems.

How do I know if my Rectocele repair has failed?

The presence of the following five symptoms was evaluated: prolonged and unsuccessful straining at stool, feelings of incomplete evacuation, manual assistance during defecation, false urge to defecate, and a stool frequency of less than three times per week.

Can you prolapse after a hysterectomy?

Hysterectomy, a surgery to remove a woman’s uterus, is sometimes performed to treat uterine prolapse. However, vaginal prolapse can occur after hysterectomy (regardless of the reason for hysterectomy). This is called “vaginal prolapse after hysterectomy.”