Abstract
Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) is defined as the descent of any of the following: the anterior vaginal wall, the posterior vaginal wall, the uterus (cervix), or the apex of the vagina (vaginal vault or cuff scar after hysterectomy). POP is extremely common and is one of the leading reasons for surgery in the United States.
The main symptom of prolapse is the sensation of bulge or pressure in the vagina. Severe prolapse may interfere with successful urination, defecation, or sexual function. Prolapse diagnosis is usually based on physical exam with several formal staging systems. Asymptomatic or minimally symptomatic prolapse may not require any intervention. Patients with significant bother may elect to use a device called a pessary to hold their prolapsed organs in place, or they may elect for surgery. There are a variety of surgical procedures for prolapse, depending on the patient’s health, preferences, degree, and location of prolapse.
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Dancz, C.E., Tavakoli, A., Fullerton, M.E. (2023). Pelvic Organ Prolapse: Diagnosis, Treatment, and Avoiding Complications. In: Shoupe, D. (eds) Handbook of Gynecology. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-17002-2_70-2
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-17002-2_70-2
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