Complete Care
Sacrospinous Ligament Fixation
What is sacrospinous ligament fixation?
Sacropinous ligament fixation is a surgical procedure used to correct bulging of the vagina, also known as prolapse of the vagina.
What are the risks associated with this procedure?
- Damage to a vein or artery that could cause serious bleeding.
- Making a hole in my bladder or rectum that could cause a tract (fistula) between my vagina and bladder or rectum.
- That my bulging vagina (vaginal prolapse) may not improve or could return.
- That I may have difficulty emptying my bladder.
- That I may develop bulging in my rectum (rectocele) or my bladder (cystocele).
- That I may develop infection in my incision or the area around my vagina.
- That I may have pain in my hip.
- That I may develop numbness in my legs.
How do I prepare for sacrospinous ligament fixation?
Follow your health care provider’s instructions about not smoking before and after the procedure. Smokers heal more slowly after surgery. They are also more likely to have breathing problems during surgery. For this reason, if you are a smoker, you should quit at least 2 weeks before the procedure. It is best to quit 6 to 8 weeks before surgery. Also, your wounds will heal much better if you do not smoke after surgery.
Follow any other instructions your provider gives you. If you are to have general anesthesia, eat a light meal, such as soup or salad, the night before midnight. Do not even drink coffee, tea, or water.
What happens after the procedure?
First, plan for your care and recovery after the operation. Allow for time to rest. Try to find other people to help you with your day-to-day duties as you are likely to feel tired and need rest two or three times a day for a for three to four weeks. You will gradually improve. You can drive as soon as you can make an emergency stop without discomfort, generally after three weeks. You can start sexual relations before you return for the six-week check, if you feel comfortable enough, and you have no blood loss. You should be able to return to work after about six weeks.
When should I call Greenville OB/GYN
Call our emergency number at any time if:
- You have a fever over 100 F (37.8 C).
Call during regular office hours if:
- You have questions about the procedure or its result.
- You want to make another appointment.
Complete Care
Endometriosis: Everything You Need to Know
Endometriosis is a common condition with plenty of misconceptions. The disease occurs when tissue called endometrium, similar to the tissue that normally lines the uterus, grows in other parts of the body. Endometriosis affects as many as one in 10 American women. It can cause pain, scarring, and even infertility.
