Vaginal vault prolapse
Vaginal vault prolapse is a type of pelvic organ prolapse that can occur following surgical removal of the uterus (hysterectomy). When the top of the vagina loses the support of the uterus, it often sags or drops into the vaginal canal.
The amount of the drop in a vaginal vault prolapse can vary from a slight sag into the vaginal canal to a complete drop, where the top of the vagina bulges outside of the vaginal opening.
Most women with a vaginal vault prolapse will also have bulging of the small bowel (enterocele) into the vagina. Other bladder and bowel problems, such as urinary incontinence and constipation, are likely to occur with vaginal vault prolapse.
Vaginal vault prolapse may be treated with a special device that holds the vagina in place (vaginal pessary). Surgery sometimes is needed to repair vaginal vault prolapse.
| Author | Jeannette Curtis |
| Author | Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS |
| Editor | Kathleen M. Ariss, MS |
| Editor | Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA |
| Associate Editor | Tracy Landauer |
| Associate Editor | Pat Truman |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Patrice Burgess, MD - Family Medicine |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine |
| Last Updated | May 25, 2007 |
WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise