Uterine prolapse

Female genital prolapse
Classification and external resources
ICD-10	N81.4
ICD-9	618.1
DiseasesDB	13651
MeSH	D014596

Uterine prolapse is a form of female genital prolapse (also called pelvic organ prolapse or prolapse of the uterus (womb).

Treatment is surgical, and the options include hysterectomy or a uterus-sparing techniques such as Hysteropexy^[1] or Manchester procedure.^[2]

The uterus (womb) is normally held in place by a hammock of muscles and ligaments. Prolapse happens when the ligaments supporting the uterus become so weak that the uterus cannot stay in place and slips down from its normal position. These ligaments are the round ligament of the uterus,uterosacral ligaments,broad ligament & suspensitory ovarian ligament. The utereosacral ligaments are by far the most important ligaments in preventing uterine prolapse.

The most common cause of uterine prolapse is trauma during childbirth, in particular multiple or difficult births. About 50% of women who have had children develop some form of pelvic organ prolapse in their lifetime. It is more common as women get older, particularly in those who have gone through the menopause. This condition is surgically correctable.

See also

• Sacrohysteropexy
• Manchester operation

References

1. ^ Price N, Slack A, Jackson S. Laparoscopic hysteropexy: the initial results of a uterine suspension procedure for uterovaginal prolapse. BJOG 2010;117:62–68. DOI: 10.1111/j.1471-0528.2009.02396. www.bjog.org
2. ^ Surgical correction of uterine prolapse: cervical amputation with uterosacral ligament plication versus vaginal hysterectomy with high uterosacral ligament plication By de Boer T, Milani F, Kluivers K, Withagen M, Vierhout M. Part of ICS 2009 Scientific Programme, Thursday 1st October 2009

Natalia Price 2011 (revised February 2011)

Gynaecology Department, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, UK.

www.oxfordgynaecology.com

External links

• Information about the UP epidemic in Nepal