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A posterior colporrhaphy is a procedure commonly performed to correct a rectocele, a condition where the front wall of the rectum bulges into the back wall of the vagina. Although it can be performed alone, posterior colporrhaphy is often combined with additional procedures to correct all the areas of prolapse in the vagina.
A rectocele occurs when the muscle layer between the rectum and vagina weakens, possibly from heavy lifting, vaginal delivery, age or certain diseases. When a rectocele forms, you might feel pressure or bulging in your vagina. Occasionally, it can affect the way you have a bowel movement.
First, your provider makes a cut in the back wall of the vagina to identify areas of weakness. Then, stitches are placed to strengthen the layer of tissue that separates the rectum and vagina. A perineorrhaphy (reconstructive surgery of the area between the vagina and rectum) is usually done at the same time to support the posterior vaginal wall. Excess vaginal skin can be removed before the incision is closed with stitches that dissolve).
You may be asked to undergo some bladder testing called urodynamic testing. You’ll attend a preoperative visit where you’ll talk about what to expect and undergo basic lab work. If you need surgical clearance, you’ll be asked to get this before surgery.
Posterior colporrhaphy takes about 30 minutes to 1 hour to perform. If it’s the only procedure you’re receiving, you can go home that day and recover. However, if you’re having other types of prolapse surgeries, you may need to stay in the hospital overnight.
You can expect some activity restrictions for about 6 weeks, but many patients can return to a normal routine after posterior colporrhaphy. Activity restrictions include:
The risk of complications from a posterior colporrhaphy is typically very low. As with any procedure, there is the risk of anesthesia problems, pain, bleeding, infection, blood clots or damage to nearby organs, but these are incredibly rare. There is also risk of developing a urinary tract infection.
Check your insurance plan benefits to see if your policy covers a posterior colporrhaphy. 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.