What are the risks of pelvic floor surgery?
Pelvic floor surgery is used to improve and correct various diseases such as incontinence, prostate cancer, uterine prolapse and rectal prolapse. Risks in pelvic floor surgery are actually quite rare. They can include infections, injuries to the bladder, intestine, blood vessels and pelvic nerves, bleeding and the recurrence of the prolapse. The most important factors in avoiding possible risks are training, preparation and a qualified surgeon.
Which procedure has the lowest risks?
RAL or robot-assisted laparoscopy has the lowest risks compared to conventional open surgery. In traditional surgery, large incisions are made and the connective tissue is folded like a fan with resorbable sutures. However, RAL allows the surgeon to make minimal incisions and reattach organs with permanent sutures or mesh materials.
What is robotic laparoscopy (RAL)?
RAL is a surgical robotic system in which the surgeon sits at a console that is connected to a unit consisting of a camera arm and three surgical arms. The operating arms are equipped with special surgical instruments. With these arms, colorectal surgeons can perform sensitive interventions in the narrow abdominal cavity precisely.
What are the advantages of RAL?
Patients undergoing RAL can enjoy the following benefits:
significantly less surgical blood loss
less surgical complications
far fewer scars after surgery
Hospital stays of a few days compared to over a week
faster return to daily activities, work and travel
better result in malfunctions of the pelvic floor
What can I do to reduce the likelihood of risks associated with pelvic floor surgery?
As with all surgical procedures, it is vital to follow all of your doctor’s instructions. Make sure that you continue to take all of your medication and that your doctor has your full medical history. Before the operation, be sure to complete each test and study what your doctor asks you to do. If you are a smoker, take this opportunity to quit. Follow all of your doctor’s instructions before the surgery. It can also be helpful to do pelvic floor exercises (PFE), known as Kegel exercises, that can improve the tone and function of the muscles in the pelvic floor.
When should I call my doctor?
Although the risk of developing any of the complications mentioned above is rare, please call your doctor if you experience any of the following symptoms: fever, malodorous vaginal discharge, heavy bleeding, surgical wound becomes hot, painful, or discharges, constant nausea and / or vomiting, severe pain and inability to empty the bladder or bowel.