Gynaecology and Obstetric Services
Jimi is personally familiar with many of the concerns and issues women and couples face. His years of clinical experience, both in the UK and abroad, have deepened his understanding further and have also allowed him insight into other cultures and customs. He fervently believes that each one of his patients is an individual with individual circumstances and treatment needs, and these he aims to address with a sympathetic ear and an open mind in his practice.
Mr Jimi Odejinmi - Consultant Gynaecologist and Obstetrician provides consultations on:
Mr Jimi Odejinmi - Consultant Gynaecologist and Obstetrician provides consultations on:
Abnormal Menstrual BleedingIrregular menstrual bleeding or heavy menstrual bleeding or a combination of both may characterize abnormal menstruation.
World wide up to 20% of women will suffer from heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB) at some point in their lives. It accounts for 12% of referral to gynaecology outpatient departments. Historically up to 60% of women would end up with a hysterectomy within 5 years of referral but there are now a number of effective alternative ways to manage HMB without recourse to hysterectomy. The holistic approach to the management of HMB is important as it depends on a woman’s symptoms as well as her circumstance, whether her family is complete or whether fertility is still desired. A woman should not be compelled to remove her womb if she doesn’t want to, and on the other hand she shouldn’t be forced to keep it if it is detrimental to her quality of life. This course of management is underpinned by NICE (National Institute of Clinical Excellence) guidelines in the UK. In the absence of any overt pathology it is possible to manage HMB with medication in some cases hormones will not be required. The next step of management would then be hormonal manipulation. This may be in the form of tablets or the use of the Mirena™(a small device that is inserted in the womb and gives off low dose hormones) and if all this fails surgery may be required. Even when surgery is required hysterectomy is not the starting point measures to remove or destroy the lining of the womb are effective treatments in up to 70% of women. For women who do require hysterectomy tradition open surgery should not be and is no longer the norm. It is now possible to carry out most hysterectomies though minimal access techniques, sometimes irrespective of the size of the uterus. The questions women should always ask her gynaecologist should always include: whether she is able to have her hysterectomy by minimal access techniques and if not why? Whether she needs to have her cervix removed during the hysterectomy and whether she needs to have her ovaries removed. Complications of Early Pregnancy (Miscarriage) Miscarriage presents with pain and or bleeding in early pregnancy, after missing a menstrual period. Unfortunately miscarriage is not uncommon. 1 in 8 pregnancies will miscarry. Once a woman has a positive pregnancy test within the first 3 months there is a 20% chance that she might miscarry. Between 6 and 9 weeks the risk falls to about 4% and after 9 weeks to 3% in the first trimester. The risk of miscarriage increases after a third miscarriage and with age.
From the early 1990s the management of miscarriage has changed in the United Kingdom with all units that care for women with complications of early pregnancy having dedicated areas and dedicated staff, who are experienced and versed in the management of complications of early pregnancy (Early pregnancy assessment units). These allow women continuity of care, provide counseling and support, and allow all tests and therapies to be carried out in dedicated areas, and avoid unnecessary and repeated internal examinations. Once a woman experiences pain and bleeding in early pregnancy she will be referred to one of these units in her local area. Miscarriages are usually defined as:
On arrival at the EPAU the objective would be to try and determine what type of miscarriage is taking place. A pregnancy test is usually organised and depending on how many weeks pregnant the woman is an ultrasound scan is then arranged. If the fetal heart is seen beating on the ultrasound scan she is reassured and in most cases sent home. If any of the above types of miscarriages is identified management choices are:
Traditionally surgical management was the only therapy offered but depending on a woman’s symptoms and her preference she may be offered expectant or medical management. There are certain criteria that need to be met for safety and efficacy of the first 2 methods of management. Whatever management is offered women are offered counseling for the emotional implications of miscarriage and how if necessary to manage future pregnancy. Ectopic Pregnancy Ectopic pregnancy is a pregnancy that is situated outside the womb. The most common site is the fallopian tube. It is a potentially life-threatening condition and occurs in about 1:100 pregnancies.
Common symptoms are abdominal pain and bleeding after missing a menstrual period, with a positive pregnancy test. Risk factors for ectopic pregnancy include: previous ectopic pregnancy, previous tubal surgery, previous pelvic infection, current IUCD use. Though most women who present with ectopic pregnancy will have none of these symptoms. Ectopic pregnancies are usually diagnosed on the basis of symptoms and a blood test which measures the amount of Beta-HCG which is a pregnancy related hormone, and an ultrasound scan. For the majority of women it is possible to make a diagnosis after initial investigation but in some women the results of investigations may be inconclusive and follow up scans and blood tests may be necessary. Once the diagnosis is established women may be given a choice of how they would prefer their ectopic pregnancy to be managed. The choice is sometimes limited however by symptoms and the results of investigations. Choices include: 1. Conservative, Expectant management, where women are kept under surveillance until the pregnancy resolves by itself.
Despite evidence that laparoscopic surgery is superior to conventional surgery unfortunately not all women with this condition even if stable are managed by laparoscopic surgery with figures ranging from between 39% and 89% in the UK. Jimi has wide knowledge and research interest in this area. Under his direction in his NHS unit all (100%) women who are haemodynamically stable have laparoscopic surgery for the management of ectopic pregnancy when this is required. Even in haemodynamically unstable women 85% are managed by means of laparoscopic surgery by a highly skilled team of surgeons, nurses and theatre. Even for the rarer ectopic pregnancies jimi has demonstrated that laparoscopic surgery is feasible. Laparoscopic Reversal Sterilization Female sterilization is the most effective form of contraception. At the time of sterilization women are warned of the potential irreversibility of the procedure, however life circumstances change and women may desire more children.
There are two ways of achieving pregnancy after sterilization: either assisted conception methods like IVF or reversal of sterilization. The difference between the two is that women would have to pay for each conception cycle whereas if the reversal of sterilization is successful it is possible to use it more than once. Historically reversal of sterilization used to be undertaken by conventional open surgery using microsurgical principles. It is now possible to achieve the same results with a laparoscopic procedure. The success rates for reversal vary from 47-80% the success rates sometimes depend on the type of sterilization that was performed, the extent of the tube that was removed or damaged or if it was carried out at caesarean section. Other factors that affect success would be the age of the woman seeking reversal (as fertility declines naturally after the age of 35) of sterilization and the presence of any other pathology. It is also important to ensure that the male partner has a semen sample that is adequate for pregnancy. The operation itself is carried out laparoscopically with additional incisions on each side of the pelvis just above the pubic hair line, the procedure is usually completed in an hour or 90 minutes and patients are able to go home the same day or after an overnight stay. The main thing to be aware of after the reversal procedure is the risk of ectopic pregnancy. Pelvic Pain Chronic pelvic pain is defined as intermittent or constant pain in the pelvis or lower abdomen of at least 6 months duration. It is as common as migraine and low back pain. It affects about 1 in 6 of the female population.
Pain by definition is a sensory and emotional experience associated with actual or potential tissue damage, it is an individual experience and can be affected by physical, psychological and social factors. The source can be difficult to find on occasion as sometimes even when the provoking factor is removed the pain still occurs. The aim of management of pelvic pain is to effect diagnosis in a short a time as possible and institute treatment to improve quality of life. Careful scrutiny of the woman’s history and a careful physical exam are essential to try and locate the source of pain Because of the number of organs in the pelvis the origin of pain my be in the gynaecological organs, or the bladder or bowel or may be as a result of irritation or damage of bones, muscles or nerves. Common causes include: 1. Gynaecological:
5. Nerve entrapment 6. Psychological and social issues One of the most important requirements for diagnosis is the gynaecologists ability to listen and examine as taking a full history may take time, symptoms should not just be put down to psychological issues in the first instance and symptoms should not be dismissed. The woman should also understand that because of the nature of chronic pelvic pain actual diagnosis may take a while and the source of pain may never be found. If the latter were the case then it would be a matter of managing the pain symptoms in the absence of an actual diagnosis. Investigations will depend on the history and examination and what system of the body is thought to be involved. Commonly an ultrasound will be arranged. Laparoscopy is usually a second line investigation. A laparoscopy is the only test that is capable of diagnosing peritoneal endometriosis or adhesions. Women should not be disappointed if the laparoscopy is negative as though this excludes visual pathology it does not mean that the pain experienced is not real. And some women tend to get better even though nothing is found at laparoscopy. Premenstrual Syndrome PMS is a collection of physical and behavior and emotional symptoms related to a woman's menstrual cycle, in the absence of any physical or psychiatric illness. The degree of distress and symptoms vary from woman to woman. It occurs in 3-30% of women it is more prevalent in obese women and those who do not undertake exercise. There is a lower incidence in women who use the oral contraceptive pill.
The exact cause of this syndrome is unknown. There is no one specific test for diagnosis and no single treatment. Management: Lifestyle alteration, both diet and exercise help as does stress management and cognitive behavioural therapy. Sometimes the oral contraceptive pill can be used as first line therapy. Low dose antidepressants are also used on the days when symptoms are severe leading up to the menstrual cycle. Second line treatment includes the use of the Mirena intrauterine contraceptive device and other forms of hormonal manipulation. Sometimes higher doses of anti-depressants are required. If this doesn’t work hormone implants may be of benefit to suppress the function of the ovaries. The ultimate treatment is removal of the ovaries coupled with hormone replacement therapy. This should only be done as a last resort and in women whose family is complete and after all other treatments fail. Sometimes women are advised to have a trial with hormone therapy to suppress the ovaries before surgery to ascertain whether they would benefit from the procedure. Urinary Incontinence Urinary incontinence is defined as involuntary loss of urine. It is generally divided into 2 main types:
1. Stress incontinence: which is the involuntary loss of urine on coughing or sneezing or on exercise and 2. Overactive bladder: which is the inability to hold on to urine when one has the urge to go
c. Nocturia d. Urge incontinence 3. Mixed incontinence: Some women have both symptoms and this is known as mixed incontinence Incontinence of urine unfortunately is under reported probably due to the embarrassment it causes the sufferer. Putting it in perspective 1:7 women over the age of 30 suffer from some form of incontinence and about 2.5 million women suffer with this problem in the UK, however up to 88% of women suffer for a year or more before seeking medical help, with 46% of women suffering for up to 5 years before they seek medical help. For women who seek medical help it is once again important to take a detailed history and examination, trying to differentiate between the types of incontinence. If the diagnosis cannot be reached on the basis of history alone it may be necessary for the woman to keep a urinary diary for a few days to help in the analysis. For women with overactive bladder symptoms it is best to try conservative measures first. This is usually in the form of bladder re-education carried out either by a physiotherapist of an incontinence advisor. Alterations in life style may also be advised: avoidance of coffee and other stimulants may be helpful. Some may be advised to try cranberry juice. If this doesn’t work then medication may be necessary this is usually in the form of an anticholinergic agent. The efficacy of anticholinergic agents is sometimes limited by their side effects, which include blurred vision, constipation and dry mouth. Some women may need to switch from one drug to another till they find the one that suits them. When diagnosis is inconclusive it may be necessary to perform a test called urodynamics. During this test a catheter (a little tube) is inserted into the bladder and the bladder if filled with fluid and recordings are taken on a computer looking at how the bladder reacts to filling. For women with pure stress incontinence treatment is initially conservative in the form of pelvic floor exercises supervised by an incontinence advisor or physiotherapist. There are also come devices that can be inserted into the vagina to prevent incontinence (this may be helpful for athletes or when a woman needs to undertake strenuous activity for a short period of time). If this fails then surgery may be necessary. The commonest procedure performed today for urinary incontinence is the tension free transvaginal tape either suprapubic or trans-obturator. The success rate of this procedure is about 95-97%. Complications include needing to go to the toilet more often in about 10% of women who have the procedure, difficulty in voiding in about 10% of women. The mesh used for the procedure may erode in about 3-8% of women. Other complications include bladder injury, painful intercourse for the woman and painful intercourse for the partner if the mesh used erodes (His-pareunia). Other therapies are also available depending on the patients individual circumstances e.g. Bulking agents or some times relatively complex surgery. The best approach to the management of incontinence is a multi-disciplinary approach and best managed in a caring environment within the woman’s own community only needing to see a specialist if conservative measures fail. Keyhole (Laparoscopic Surgery)Laparoscopic surgery also known as keyhole surgery is one of the greatest modern advances of gynaecological surgery and today most gynaecological procedures can be performed with key hole surgery.
It involves passing a small camera through the belly button to visualise and operate on pelvic and abdominal contents using very small incisions with the surgeon looking at a monitor. It is associated with less tissue trauma thus less scarring, less pain, less blood loss, quicker discharge from hospital, earlier recovery and quicker return to normal activity. Laparoscopy can now be used to manage fibroids (in some cases large and multiple fibroids), Endometriosis, ovarian cysts, ectopic pregnancy, adhesions, chronic pelvic pain and a range of other illnesses it can also be used to reverse sterilisation. Surgeons need to be highly skilled to perform effective and complication free minimal access surgery, particularly for advanced and complicated procedures. Another form of minimal access surgery is a hysteroscopy. In this case, the tiny camera is inserted into the womb through the vagina. This is another very effective technique which is, once again, less traumatic than conventional surgery. Jimi is a highly skilled and formally trained advanced minimal access surgeon who is able to provide minimal access surgery for most routine and complicated gynaecological complaints. Hysterectomy Though it is now possible to manage menstrual and other gynaecological pathologies conservatively some women will still be advised to have a hysterectomy.
Hysterectomy is one of the commonest major gynaecological operations performed with over 600,000 procedures performed in the USA. For women who require hysterectomy the questions now asked are how should the hysterectomy be performed? Despite the advantages of minimal access surgery for hysterectomy most women still undergo conventional surgery because of the expertise of their chosen surgeon. NICE and other regulatory bodies advocate that the first choice for a hysterectomy should be vaginal, followed by laparoscopic and the last choice should be traditional open surgery. Common reasons for open surgery include:
For specialized surgeons with extra training these are not limitations as most of these excuses can be overcome by the use of minimal access techniques. Questions women should ask before undergoing a hysterectomy would be:
If women have had normal cervical smears and are in a cervical screening program there is no absolute need for the cervix to be removed. In Jimi's practice the primary route of hysterectomy for 99% of patients is laparoscopic (keyhole) as this is associated with the least risk of complications, shorter hospital stay, less pain and an earlier return to normal activities. |
Abnormal Cervical Smears Cervical screening in the UK has been a success in screening to prevent cervical cancer, about 4.4 million women are screened in the UK each year. Screening starts at the age of 25 and goes on till 65 years provided the last smears have been normal.
No one knows what causes cervical cancer but there are associations with the human papilloma virus and cigarette smoking. Recent advances in the screening and management process include screening for HPV types that have been linked with increased risk of developing cervical cancer and the use of Vaccines for prevention. If abnormalities are found on screening they are usually graded as borderline, mild, moderate or severe. Depending on circumstance it may be decided that colposcopy is required. This is an investigation where the neck of the womb ( the cervix) is examined under magnification (using an instrument akin to binoculars) to identify whether the abnormal cells found on the smear truly exist. If abnormality is found a biopsy may be taken and this will dictate whether further treatment is necessary. Sometimes treatment may be advised just on the basis of colposcopy. Where treatment is required it is usually done by large loop excision of the transformation zone (LLETZ), with a local anaesthetic to numb the cervix. The procedure takes about 10-15 minutes. Women are advised not to undertake vigorous exercise, have intercourse or use tampons for 3-4 weeks after the procedure. They are advised to return or make contact if they have bleeding that is heavier than a heavy period, as bleeding is a potential complication of the procedure. Long term complications are uncommon; they include cervical stenosis( where the cervix becomes too tight) or cervical incompetence (where the cervix is unable to stay closed during pregnancy) this may result in miscarriage. This complication is rare occurring in less than 0.5% of women. Over 90% of women will need no further intervention after the first treatment for others however follow-up may be required. Endometriosis Endometriosis is a chronic condition where endometrium (this is the lining of the inside of the womb) is found outside the womb. It can be responsible for pelvic pain, pain during intercourse and in some women infertility.
It is common in the reproductive years but can also present in adolescence. Unfortunately though it occurs in up to 10% of the general population with figures increasing in women with pelvic pain and infertility, Diagnosis is commonly delayed and women have often had numerous consultations before the eventual diagnosis is made Though it is possible to diagnose some forms endometriosis with non- invasive techniques like ultrasound, the gold standard for diagnosis is a laparoscopy. This allows for the diagnosis to be made with certainty and the stage (severity) of the disease to be determined. It also allows the woman to make up her mind on how to manage her future fertility based on the information from the laparoscopy as fertility is known to decline after the age of 35 years and particularly so in women with endometriosis The management of endometriosis requires a holistic and multidisciplinary approach as endometriosis not only affects the woman but may also affect indirectly other family members. Management should be undertaken by experts who are not only familiar with the symptoms of the disease but also its natural history as endometriosis however treated has a recurrence risk and most women depending on the stage of endometriosis may require more than one surgery. Initial management of endometriosis may be by the use of medicines or pain management therapy depending on the desire for immediate fertility. If fertility is not immediately desired then the pain symptoms can be managed with pain killers or in some cases the oral contraceptive pill. Management multidisciplinary teams usually include a gynaecologist, a colorectal surgeon, urologists and pain management specialists as well as dedicated endometriosis nurses and support from counselors, physiotherapists and in some cases alternative medicine specialists. Women will only need to see certain specialists depending on their circumstance. Women are also encouraged to join support groups to share experiences as in some cases a problem shared is a problem halved. Jimi has set up a multidisciplinary team at Whipps Cross University hospital to manage women with endometriosis and the unit is a recongnised BSGE (British society of gynaecological endoscopy) accredited provisional centre. Fibroids
Uterine fibroids are the commonest benign tumour (growth) of the female reproductive tract. Fibroids affects up to 30-40% of women. It is particularly common during the reproductive years and is more common in women of colour than Caucasians. Black woman tend to present with symptoms relating to fibroids earlier than Caucasians and they are more likely to present with problems relating to fertility.
No one knows for sure what causes fibroids but they develop from a single muscle cell in the uterus and are hormone dependent. They also tend to run in families. Fibroids can be responsible for heavy periods leading to anaemia, pressure symptoms on the bowel where they may cause constipation. The effect on the bladder can either be going to the toilet to pass urine more often or in some cases they can cause retention of urine. Fibroids can also be responsible for fertility problems depending on their location, particularly those within or distorting the cavity of the womb. It must be said however that most women that have fibroids will have no problems with fertility and when they do get pregnant they will have no problems. Some of the problems associated with fibroids in the pregnant women include: increased risk of miscarriage, increased risk of degeneration which may lead to pain, increased risk of premature delivery and increased risk of bleeding once the baby has been delivered. The most important statement about the management of fibroids is “just because they are there does not mean they need to be removed” and that “the primary objective of management of fibroids is not to remove the fibroids but to do away with the symptoms they cause”. To this end a woman who suffers with symptoms relating to the presence of fibroids needs to seek out a gynaecologist with experience in the management of all aspects of care relating to fibroids and not a gynaecologist who is an expert in only one aspect of management. The objective of management should be to treat the symptoms, to facilitate or increase chances of fertility if this is what is desired, and while achieving these objectives ensure the best quality of life for the patient. Treatment modalities for the management of fibroids include: 1. Medication:
3. Uterine artery embolization 4. Surgery
(i) Reduced adhesion formation (scar tissue) (ii) Less blood loss (iii) Reduced pain (iv) Reduced hospital stay (v) Earlier return to normal activities b. Traditional conventional surgery for removal of fibroids Jimi is familiar with all aspects of management of uterine fibroids and applies minimal access techniques where it is the responsible thing to do. Not all fibroids can or should be managed by minimal access means but where possible the size of the fibroid is not sole the limitation for minimal access management. Ovarian Cysts Ovarian cysts are “growths” on the ovary which are often fluid filled sacs. The majority of these cysts are benign and often require no intervention, as most will resolve spontaneously in 6 months
They are commonest in the reproductive years and can be broadly classified into 2 groups
The majority of pathological ovarian cysts are benign particularly in the reproductive years. Because of complications that can occur with ovarian cysts they are the 4th most common reason for acute gynaecological admission, by the age of 65 years 4% of women would have been admitted to hospital for this reason. Worrisome complications include:
The diagnosis of ovarian cysts and most often their nature is determined by pre-operative investigations which include a pelvic ultrasound scan, which is most often performed vaginally. This is coupled with blood tests most often a Ca125 test. This test in itself is non specific but can on occasion point to the nature of the cyst. Cysts less than 5cm are often treated conservatively without operation and a follow-up scan organized for 6 weeks after the first. Larger cysts or cysts that cause pain or of a suspicious nature often require surgery. The main worry in the management of ovarian cysts is to make sure that cancer is not missed and accurate diagnosis is made before surgery. And if surgery is required, as most women are in their reproductive years fertility sparing procedures are carried out and herein lies the beauty of minimal access surgery in the management of ovarian cysts. Size alone is not a limitation to the management of ovarian cysts by laparoscopy as “giant” ovarian cysts can be managed by laparoscopy with the right surgical skills. Post Menopausal Bleeding This is defined as vaginal bleeding 1 year after cessation of menstruation.
Should women have bleeding one year after the menopause they need to visit their doctor. There are a number of reasons why women might bleed after the menopause and the majority of them are benign and not life threatening but why doctors are worried is because of the possibility of Endometrial Cancer (Cancer of the womb). When endometrial cancer is caught early is it potentially completely curable. This is the reason why early diagnosis is the key. The following increase your risk of endometrial cancer:
Consultation will involve a detailed history and examination. For some women it is possible to take a sample of the endometrium (the lining of the womb) with a small tube at the index consultation. For others it may be that once the history is taken an ultrasound scan is arranged (this is often transvaginal) to assess the thickness of the lining of the womb. The rule of thumb is that if it is greater than 5mm further investigation is required. The next investigation would be a hysteroscopy where as small camera is put into the womb and a sample taken from the lining, once again it is possible to do this in an outpatient setting without the need for general anaesthesia. Polycystic Ovaries Syndrome This is a female disorder, though the exact cause is unknown it is thought to be due to hormonal imbalance. It is a complex endocrine abnormality that usually begins in puberty and is common during the reproductive years, producing symptoms in about 5-10% of women.
The principal features are due to: Anovulation (not producing an “egg” each month) resulting in irregular or absent menstrual periods. Hyperandrogenism: there is also a production of androgenic (male) hormones that is responsible for acne, hirsuitism (abnormal hair growth), Insulin resistance: PCO is associated with obesity, type 2 diabetes and sometimes high cholesterol levels. Infertility: It is thought to be one of the leading causes of sub-fertility. Not all women will have all symptoms, the severity and the type of symptoms vary greatly among affected individuals. Consultation usually involves a detailed history looking at menstrual patterns, abnormal hair growth and body mass index (weight and height). After a physical examination the first investigation is usually an ultrasound scan (preferably a transvaginal scan) this is done to look at the ovaries which have certain characteristics in women with PCOS, the so called “string of pearl” appearance. Other investigations are usually blood tests looking at various hormone levels on certain days of the menstrual cycle. Management centers on managing the symptoms. It centers around understanding the syndrome and individualising treatment by
For the overweight woman, diet coupled with exercise is first tried and if weight is lost and the BMI is improved periods can regularise themselves spontaneously. Medication centers on improving insulin resistance by means of a drug called Metformin, in some cases the oral contraceptive pill is given to regulate periods particularly if fertility is not an immediate issue. When fertility is the main issue treatment is concentrated on weight loss, improving insulin resistance with Metformin and induction of ovulation. The commonest drug for this is clomid (clomiphene citrate). For hirsuitism and acne the oral contraceptive pill is used. There are also other medications that can be used for the unwanted hair growth. In extreme cases laparoscopy may be necessary if medication fails and a procedure called ovarian drilling. Here during the laparoscopy little holes are made in the ovary to reduce the number of follicles. It is usually performed as a day case procedure PCOS can be transient and in those individuals in whom symptoms improve they should actually adopt life-styles that will prevent the development of diabetes. Prolapse SurgeryPelvic floor disorders include prolapse of the womb or parts of the vagina, incontinence of urine and sometimes incontinence of faeces.
The life time risk of women undergoing surgery for prolapse or incontinence is about 11%. About 50% of women who have had children will develop prolapse. And more women will develop prolapse as life expectancy is increased, but not all will require intervention. Factors that can influence the development of prolapse include: childbearing, the menopause, occupational stresses that put pressure on the pelvic floor, constipation, chronic cough as well as surgery on the pelvic floor, particularly hysterectomy. The cumulative risk of development of prolapse after hysterectomy is 1% at 3 years and 5% at 15 years the risk is 5.5% higher if hysterectomy is performed for prolapse. As with all conditions in gynaecology it is important to have a holistic approach to management. A detailed history and examination need to be carried out taking into account the patients circumstance and whether family is complete or not. This is because there is a failure risk with surgery and the risk of recurrence can be as high as 30% in some cases. Before surgery is offered it may be possible to adopt a conservative approach with pelvic floor exercises or the use of pessaries (devices that are able to support the pelvic floor when inserted into the vagina). These can be particularly useful for women who have not completed their families and for those due to medical complaints are not able to have surgery. Surgery for pelvic floor prolapse has evolved overtime and there are numerous operations some of which have not stood the test of time. Before surgery is undertaken depending on the part of the vagina that has prolapsed it may be necessary to carry out investigations such as urodynamics to see how the bladder functions and how it may be affected by surgery. For “vault” prolapse after hysterectomy one of the commonest operations offered is a Sacrocolpopexy. These days this is most often performed laparoscopically. It is superior to most vaginal approaches. Another operation called a sacrohysteropexy ( where the womb is left in place despite prolapse) is also performed laparoscopically and is offered to women who do not want to have a hysterectomy or those where the womb has prolapsed and but have not completed their family. Sacrospinous fixations are operations performed vaginally for the same prolapse but failure rates are higher. In recent years there have been a proliferation of “Meshes” used for vaginal surgery repair. The theory behind their use is because of the high recurrence risk with vaginal surgery for prolapse repair. Vaginal mesh surgery needs to be approached with caution because of the risk of Mesh erosion and other complications. The advice is that most women will not require mesh for a first vaginal prolapse operation and should only need it if prolapse recurs after surgery. Unlike the use of meshes for vaginal repair, for urinary incontinence the use of mesh is the way forward and has replaced conventional surgery for most women who suffer from stress incontinence. Jimi is able to offer a structured and holistic approach to the management of women with pelvic floor disorders and incontinence. With minimal access surgical approach in most cases. |