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The Curious Bag
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Dropped bladder, or cystocele, is a condition that occurs when weakening of the tissue between the vaginal wall and the bladder allows the bladder to intrude upon the vagina. Serious cases of dropped bladder may require surgical repair.
The Facts
According to the Mayo Clinic, a dropped bladder may result from a number of causes, including straining during heavy lifting, pregnancy, vaginal childbirth, violent coughing or long-term (chronic) constipation.
Vaginal Repair
Surgeons repair most cases of dropped bladder through an incision in the vaginal wall, according to the Mayo Clinic. This procedure involves pushing the bladder back in place, then removing any excess tissue and tightening related ligaments and muscles.
Abdominal Repair
Surgeons may also repair a dropped bladder through an incision in the abdomen, according to the Encyclopedia of Surgery. This procedure may be performed as a traditional open surgery, or as a minimally-invasive procedure called a laparoscopy.
Hysterectomy
Individuals who have a dropped bladder accompanied by a dropped (prolapsed) uterus sometimes undergo removal of the uterus (hysterectomy) in addition to bladder surgery.
Considerations
The Merck Manuals Online Medical Library notes that women in their childbearing years may want to delay a surgical repair, since childbirth may undo surgery's beneficial effects.
Source:
Encyclopedia of Surgery: Cystocele Repair
The Merck Manuals Online Medical Library: Cystoceles, Urethroceles, Enteroceles, and Rectoceles
More Information:
University of Michigan Health System: Cystocele and Rectocele Repair
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