Enterocele Repair (Small Bowel Prolapse)
It is sometimes hard to tell if the vaginal bulge from the floor is caused by the large bowel rectocele or the small bowel enterocele pushing into the vagina. Enteroceles can occur at the same time with cystoceles and rectoceles. In fact, it’s tough to tell if the bulge is bladder, rectum, or bowel, or all! Enteroceles are notorious for coming back even with the best plication or levatorplasty repairs if the entire “wall” is not sealed off. Like an octopus fitting sliding and slithering through a tiny little hole, enteroceles can do that and cause bulges again. Modern repair can use donor dermal tissue (or ultralightweight mesh) as a patch eliminating any holes with excellent success. Most gynecologists and urogynecologists use standard plication repairs which may have somewhat higher failure rates. Enterocele repairs are technically challenging with few surgeons trained in its management. You really should seek out a very experienced pelvic surgeon to fix these vaginal bulges.
Case Study: 79 year old
With proper surgery excellent results can last a lifetime. This patient of mine is an example. I did her surgery at age 79, maintained her tissues with vaginal estrogens, and at age 89 her tissues are better than ever with normal function.
![]() Enterocele before surgery
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![]() Enterocele during surgery
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![]() Enterocele Repair Closure
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![]() After Enterocele Surgery, Age 79
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![]() Post Op, 10 years, Age 89
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![]() Post Op, 10 years, Age 89
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