Vaginal Surgery

In short: Vaginal surgery repairs prolapse through the vagina and includes vaginal hysterectomy, uterosacral and sacrospinous ligament suspensions, and cystocele and rectocele repair. Dr. Alexandra Tabakin, a urologist and fellowship-trained urogynecologist in New Brunswick, NJ, performs these procedures and matches the approach to the type of prolapse and the support it needs.

What is a vaginal hysterectomy?

This method involves the surgeon removing the uterus entirely through your vagina. It does not require any incisions, but cannot be done if your uterus is too large to be safely removed through the vagina.

What is uterosacral ligament suspension?

During a uterosacral suspension, a vaginal hysterectomy is first performed to remove the uterus. Then, the top of the vagina is lifted with sutures and attached to ligaments in the pelvis, returning the vagina to its normal position.

What is sacrospinous ligament fixation?

A sacrospinous suspension, also known as a sacrospinous ligament fixation, is a surgery that is performed to restore support to vaginal walls that have been affected by prolapse, or a bulging that occurs in the vagina. During this procedure, an incision is made in the vagina, and the vagina is lifted up and reattached to the sacrospinous ligament (a connective tissue in the body that is attached to the lower pelvis, bottom of the spine and tailbone) with stitches.

What is cystocele repair (dropped bladder)?

This type of surgery lifts the bladder back into place by placing stitches in the top part of the vagina. A cystocele repair is commonly performed at the same time as a mid-urethral sling insertion for stress urinary incontinence.

What is rectocele repair?

This type of surgery lifts the rectum back into place by placing stitches in the back part of the vagina.

Page updated October 2026.

Related pages: Pelvic Organ Prolapse · Prolapse Surgery · Robotic Surgery