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Colpopexy is surgery that suspends and secures the vagina or vaginal apex to a stable pelvic structure. It is performed to correct apical pelvic organ prolapse, including vaginal vault prolapse after hysterectomy. Different operations use native ligaments, sutures, or surgical mesh to restore support. Sacrocolpopexy is a common abdominal form in which the vagina is attached to the sacrum using mesh.
read more about colpopexy ...Colpopexy is considered when apical prolapse causes a vaginal bulge, pelvic pressure, urinary problems, bowel symptoms, sexual difficulties, or other bothersome symptoms. Surgery is generally chosen after evaluation of symptom severity, prolapse anatomy, overall health, treatment goals, and nonsurgical options such as a pessary. The procedure can be performed with the uterus present or after hysterectomy depending on the specific operation. Other prolapse or continence procedures can be performed at the same time when indicated.
Sacrocolpopexy is performed through an abdominal, laparoscopic, or robotic approach and uses mesh to connect the upper vagina to the anterior longitudinal ligament over the sacrum. Vaginal colpopexy procedures can use sutures to attach the vaginal apex to the uterosacral or sacrospinous ligaments. The surgeon restores the vaginal apex to a supported position while avoiding excessive tension on nearby organs and nerves. Cystoscopy or other checks can be used during selected procedures to confirm that the bladder and ureters remain intact.
Early recovery can include pelvic discomfort, fatigue, light vaginal bleeding, constipation, and temporary urinary symptoms. Walking is encouraged while heavy lifting, strenuous exercise, and vaginal intercourse are restricted for a period determined by the surgeon. Patients are monitored for bladder emptying, bowel function, wound healing, infection, and recurrence of prolapse symptoms. Recovery time depends on whether the operation was abdominal, laparoscopic, robotic, or vaginal and whether other procedures were performed.
Risks include bleeding, infection, blood clots, urinary retention, bladder or ureter injury, bowel injury, constipation, pain, and recurrent prolapse. Mesh used for sacrocolpopexy can become exposed through the vaginal lining or, less commonly, erode into nearby organs and require treatment. Vaginal native-tissue procedures avoid abdominal mesh but have their own risks of nerve pain, bleeding, or recurrent prolapse. New or persistent urinary, bowel, or sexual symptoms can occur even when anatomical support improves.
No. Sacrocolpopexy is one specific type of colpopexy. Other procedures suspend the vagina to pelvic ligaments through a vaginal approach.
No. Sacrocolpopexy commonly uses mesh, while vaginal suspension procedures can use the patient's native ligaments and sutures instead.
Yes. Surgery can provide durable support, but recurrent prolapse can develop in the repaired area or another part of the vagina.
No. Some colpopexy procedures are performed after a previous hysterectomy, while others can preserve the uterus or be combined with hysterectomy when appropriate.
Sacrocolpopexy: Purpose, Procedure, Risks, Results & Recovery. Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/17939-sacrocolpopexy. Date Accessed August 12, 2026.
Vaginal Prolapse: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment. Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17597-vaginal-prolapse. Date Accessed August 12, 2026.
Pelvic Organ Prolapse. StatPearls (NCBI Bookshelf). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK563229/. Date Accessed August 12, 2026.
Pelvic Organ Prolapse (POP): Surgical Mesh Considerations and Recommendations. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/urogynecologic-surgical-mesh-implants/pelvic-organ-prolapse-pop-surgical-mesh-considerations-and-recommendations. Date Accessed August 12, 2026.
Mesh sacrocolpopexy compared with native tissue vaginal repair: a systematic review and meta-analysis. PubMed. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25560102/. Date Accessed August 12, 2026.