Risks and Complications of the Anterior Posterior Vaginal Repair Repair with Mesh

1) Post-operative pain after the Anterior Posterior Vaginal Repair with Mesh

• After the Anterior Posterior Vaginal Repair with Mesh, pain at/or around the surgical wound may be felt as soon as the anesthetic wears off, which is relieved by pain medications prescribed. You should take a rest and refrain from working as it may cause bruising and severe pain. Should you have more pain or tension around the surgical wound, please do not hesitate to come to see Dr. Vitasna.
• In a few days after the surgery, you may experience an urge to pass stool (straining), and a sense of incomplete emptying, even after the enema before the surgery. This is caused by the sutured posterior vaginal wall between rectum and vagina. Taking a rest is recommended to reduce this symptom. Laxatives will be given to prevent constipation.

2) The difficulty in urination after the Anterior Posterior Vaginal Repair with Mesh

• Usually you may be catheterized for 3 days after the surgery. Then, when the tension of peri-vaginal muscle disappears, you will be able to have urination yourself. Some women, less than 1%, may experience difficulty in urination and may be catheterized for more than 3 days after the surgery. 

3) Abnormal bleeding after the Anterior Posterior Vaginal Repair with Mesh

• Abnormal bleeding after the  surgery, which may lead to blood clot formation is very seldom noted with less than 1 % of the surgeries, possibly caused by walking and other activities. Aspirin and other anti-coagulant drugs should be avoided at least 10-15 days before and after the scheduled surgery.
• If excessive bleeding from the surgical wound occurs after the surgery, all expenses for services and treatment for this post-surgical complication will no longer be charged to you. However, if the bleeding or other complications occur due to your non-compliance with the doctor’s orders, you will be charged accordingly.

4) Abnormal vaginal discharge after the Anterior Posterior Vaginal Repair with Mesh

• You may experience abnormal vaginal discharge, a green-yellowish discharge after the surgery, because the vagina is full of secretion fluid and various kinds of bacteria. This can cause reaction to the surgical wound and sutures. Complete absorption of the sutures will usually occur within 6-8 weeks. Green-yellowish discharge may also persist during this time.
• You may have itching or curd like discharge as a result of vaginal fungal infection, possibly following taking antibiotic to avoid post-operative infection, and needing oral anti-fungal medication or suppository.

5) Inflammation or infection after the Anterior Posterior Vaginal Repair with Mesh

• After the surgery, infection of the wound may occur, because the surgical wound in the vagina may constantly be prone to contamination because of the fluid from vaginal tract, urinary tract, and alimentary (fecal) tract. Mostly the inflammation or infection of the wound may happen to any women who fail to follow the instructions, follow the instructions incorrectly, have existing diseases such as diabetes, or have vaginal infection before the surgery.
• Inflammation or infection of the surgical wound after the surgery may cause complications such as wound deformation, suture mark (scar), or wound disruption which leads to abnormal vaginal bleeding from surgical wound. In cases where the vaginal scar is located at the G-Spot it may interrupt sexual gratification.
• After the surgery, you may experience different symptoms including; fever, infection, urine and/or stool flowing out of the vagina. These are severe complications, which are rarely noted. If these are experienced, the mesh has to be removed.

 6) The mesh bulging or protruding out of the vagina after the Anterior Posterior Vaginal Repair with Mesh

• Recently, studies show that thinner mesh, including the improved operative technique and experience, can contribute to a lower rate of bulging or protruding out of the vagina. With the protruding, you may have vaginal bleeding or pain.
• An initial protruding may be healed using antibiotics and/or estrogen cream. With no relief, the protruding mesh has to be removed or trimmed out.

 7) Pain around vagina, legs and/or buttock after the Anterior Posterior Vaginal Repair with Mesh

• Normally, this occurs due to the tension between the mesh and tissues, causing the mesh to over tighten and thus daily pain ensues. The treatment may be conventional (if a little pain) including the physical therapy of the pelvic floor, antibiotics injection and estrogen cream. If severe, a corrective surgery will be needed.
• However, in rare cases, no matter how careful the mesh is inserted, this complication may be experienced. The pain must be treated by applying the corrective surgery, or the removal of the mesh, which is the cause of the pain.

8) Mesh decay penetrating to bladder or rectum after the Anterior Posterior Vaginal Repair with Mesh

• Leakage between bladder and vagina (or rectum and vagina) is theoretically considered a rare complication. In this respect, if you have some vaginal fluid with urine or feces-like smell, please inform Dr. Vitasna immediately for prompt diagnosis and treatment of such symptoms before worsening.
• This complication may cause relative disorders, such as bladder pain, bloody urine, recurrent cystitis, acute or chronic urinary infection, recurrent urinary infection, urethra or bladder perforation, vaginal stool, bloody stool, vaginal abscess, whole body infection (sepsis) and others. —These are severe complications and need a major surgery.

9) Unsatisfactory results after the Anterior Posterior Vaginal Repair with Mesh

• This surgery has limitations and cannot absolutely ensure results and satisfaction, because there are many other factors influencing the surgical result and satisfaction. In case of unsatisfactory results, correction surgery may be performed as appropriate and possible. In this respect, you and the physician should come to discuss for the solution together.
• If correction surgery wound occurs from the complication of the surgery, all expenses for services and treatment will no longer be charged to you. However, if the unsatisfactory results occur due to the complication from your non-compliance with the doctor’s orders, you will be charged accordingly.

Check-up:  Dr. Vitasna usually requires you to come for a follow up check-up 1-2 weeks after the Anterior Posterior Vaginal Repair Repair with Mesh. Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions or concerns.