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Iliococcygeus suspension is a procedure to correct prolapse of the iliococcygeus muscle – one of many muscles that support the pelvic floor and functions like urination and sexual function.
Though it’s typically performed after you’ve had a hysterectomy, it’s occasionally performed with the uterus still in place in what’s known as a uterine-sparing procedure.
Iliococcygeus suspension is performed vaginally through an extraperitoneal approach – extraperitoneal means between the abdomen and pelvis.
During surgery, the iliococcygeus ligament is identified, and overlying tissue is cleared off. Next, sutures are attached from the top of the vagina to the belly of the iliococcygeus muscle, which resuspends the vagina and gives it the support it needs.
Other procedures – such as anterior colporrhaphy and posterior colporrhaphy – are often performed during iliococcygeus suspension to correct any additional prolapse of the vaginal walls.
After your initial consultation, you may be asked to undergo bladder testing called urodynamics. You’ll also attend a preoperative visit with your provider and undergo basic lab work. If you need surgical clearance, you’ll be asked to obtain this before surgery.
During the procedure, you’ll be under general anesthesia.
After the procedure, you’ll typically only need to stay one night in the hospital. Though everyone’s experience differs, most patients report minimal pain after iliococcygeus suspension.
In most cases, you can expect to return to regular activity shortly after surgery, but there will be some activity restrictions for about 6 weeks, including:
All procedures have some risks, but complications from iliococcygeus suspension are typically very low.
Check your insurance plan benefits to see if your policy covers iliococcygeus suspension. If it does, our office will help you get prior authorization if your insurance policy requires it. If you have further questions, contact your insurance carrier.