A new surgical technique offered by physicians at UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas may offer women relief from pelvic organ prolapse. Norma Stroup, who suffered from a pelvic organ prolapse for 20 years before trying the new treatment said, "I was absolutely elated after the surgery. I just happened to luck into Dr. Mikio Nihira, and I am glad I did. Other doctors had no idea what to do about it. I have six great-grandchildren, and it's easier now to chase them around all day."
Dr. Nihira was able to repair Mrs. Stroup's problem and is looking for other women like her to participate in a clinical trial evaluating new surgical techniques for treating the prolapse, or rectocele, a bulge from the rectal wall into the vagina. The problem is thought to be relatively common but physicians don't know exactly how many women suffer from rectoceles as not all doctors and nurses have the experience to make the diagnosis. "Symptoms can be vague, and the measurement of the herniation doesn't predict how much women are bothered," Dr. Nihira said. "Some women may have a small defect and can be very bothered, but others will have large defects that don't seem to cause them much concern."
"Many physicians don't routinely perform pelvic exams or ask specific questions about bladder and bowel problems, so it is my suspicion that these problems go mainly undetected," Dr. Nihira added.
To participate in the study, women must be suffering from or have symptoms of a prolapse. In addition to feeling constipated, they may feel this sensation (a bulge) all the time or only after going to the bathroom. "That is usually the first way women know it's there," Dr. Nihira said. "At that point, it's good to go to a physician to be examined. Many women will feel this bulge and become afraid that it is cancerous but are afraid to do anything, so they just live with it."
Women who opt for surgical treatment and choose to participate in the study will be randomly assigned to receive one of three surgical techniques: a conventional approach that has been employed for more than 200 years; a new technique in which surgeons repair gaps in the connective tissue of the wall between the rectum and the vagina; and a revolutionary approach in which a piece of graft material is used to strengthen the repair of connective tissue.
For more information, email margaret.hull@utsouthwestern.edu or call 214-648-3245.
