Health & Care Information What Is Perineorrhaphy?
Perineorrhaphy is a gynaecological surgery or procedure. Perineorrhaphy is the suturing of the perineum. The perineum is the region between the vagina and the anus. The perineum can get damaged due to various reasons like during childbirth, obesity, intercourse. Perineorrhaphy is usually performed for various reasons like for the removal of excessive skin and tags, reinforcement of perineal muscles, dyspareunia, and for increasing laxity for sexual function.
Perineorrhaphy Meaning
Perineorrhaphy means the suturing of the perineum. The perineum is the region between the vagina and the rectum. The Perineorrhaphy is often confused with the word Perineoplasty, which is the surgical repairment of the perineum. Perineorrhaphy is usually performed to repair the damaged tissues of the perineum.
Perineorrhaphy Steps
Perineorrhaphy is usually performed under general anaesthesia. During the procedure, the back wall of the vagina is opened, and an incision is made at the vagina opening. This incision is either “V” or “U” shaped. Once opened, any abnormal tissue, Scar, and excessive skin are removed, and the damaged muscles are repaired. After the removal of the tissues, the tissues are brought and stitched together. The absorbable stitches are used for the surgery; these stitches usually take 4 to 6 weeks for dissolving. Sometimes the unabsorbable stitches are used, which are removed by the surgeon. The surgery usually lasts for one hour, but it may take longer, depending upon the cause of the surgery. The hospital stay after the surgery is usually 2-3 days.
Perineorrhaphy Indications
The Perineorrhaphy surgery is performed for the repairment of the perineum. The perineum is present in the pelvis region. It is the area between the anus and the opening of the vagina. There are many indications of Perineorrhaphy. One of them is the tearing of the perineum during childbirth. The perineum often gets damaged during childbirth. In some cases, the tissues of the perineum may tear off. In order to prevent this tearing, a surgical incision is made to the perineum during childbirth, known as the episiotomy.
But if this episiotomy does not heal properly, it leads to a risk of infection and other complications and requires Perineorrhaphy. SometimesPerineorrhaphy is done for cosmetic purposes at the request of the patient. The surgery is also done to remove the vagina wall bulge. This bulge is often caused by either the weight gain, which stretches the perineum leading to muscle separation and weakness, and forms bulge due to excessive skin or some women have a feeling of the loose and sagging vaginal area. The damage of the perineum often decreases sexual sensation or satisfaction.
The surgery is, therefore, performed to improve the laxity for sexual sensation and satisfaction. It is also performed for the ones who are not sexually active or have a small perineal body. Some individuals undergo Perineorrhaphy to treat dyspareunia. Perineorrhaphy is also performed for individuals who have difficulty in emptying bowels and have a feeling of the bulge. Sometimes this procedure is used along with the other pelvic or abdominal procedures for the repairment of the prolapse of the pelvic organ. The surgery is done for anterior, posterior, apical prolapse. SometimesPerineorrhaphy is performed either for the intraoperative appearance or due to the failure of prior reconstruction. The most common indication of Perineorrhaphy is the enlarged genital hiatus.
Perineorrhaphy Complications
Perineorrhaphy is a surgical procedure. It is considered to be a safe surgical procedure. But like any other procedure, it has its own risks and complications. Since general anaesthesia is given during the Perineorrhaphy, therefore some of the complications and risks are associated with the anaesthesia. The risk and complications associated with the anaesthesia are headaches, vertigo, urinary retention, sore throat, chapped lips, and teeth.
Some of the serious risks and complications associated with the anaesthesia are heart attack, lung infections, stroke, and death. These risks and complications are very rare. Other risks and complications that are associated with the surgery are bleeding that can occur either during or after the procedure and may require a blood transfusion, infection at the site of surgery that can be deep and can require antibiotic therapy, the surgery lefts a scar that can be painful and unattractive, swelling and inflammation of the affected tissues, constipation after the surgery, abnormal vagina discharge within unpleasant odour, faecal and urinary discharge, Persistent sinus, pain during intercourse, failure to correct symptoms and unsatisfactory results.
Sometimes blood clots are formed in the legs due to inactivity after surgery; these blood clots sometimes detach from the original site and move to the lungs, where they might cause difficulty breathing, chest pain, and death. Therefore the patients are usually advised to move a bit after surgery to avoid blood clotting.
