Vaginectomy: Profile of Success in Treating Vaginal Prolapse

Treatment of procidentia and vaginal inversion in older women either with pessaries or surgery commonly brings poor results. Women are unable to retain the pessary; they develop vaginitis and vaginal ulcerations; and surgical "correction" fails due to age-induced genital atrophy or previous obstetrical trauma. We performed a retrospective chart review to assess results of our own technique of vaginectomy/hysterectomy and pelvic floor closure for vaginal vault prolapse and procidentia in 26 aged sexually inactive women seen in our practice. The women ranged from 63 to 83 years of age and had borne 0 to 9 children. Where possible, an estrogen-containing medication was introduced into the vagina preoperatively to stimulate thickening of the vaginal mucosa. A standard Heaney or Doderlein vaginal hysterectomy was performed. Operative time averaged 100 minutes, blood loss averaged 278mL, and 5 patients required a blood transfusion. All patients were discharged in good condition after an average stay of 4.67 days, although 9 of the 24 patients had complications. Since body-cavity invasion was minimal, postoperative care was simple, consisting of hydration with intravenous fluids, urine drainage utilizing an indwelling catheter, (while preventing bladder distension), early ambulation, and prophylaxis against infection and thromboembolism.