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Obstetrics324 papers

Anterior vaginal enterocele

Last edited: 4/14/2026

Overview

Anterior vaginal enterocele involves the herniation of small bowel or other pelvic contents into the anterior vaginal canal, often associated with pelvic floor dysfunction and previous pelvic surgery or childbirth trauma 1417.

Diagnosis

  • Clinical presentation includes pelvic pressure, dyspareunia, and sometimes urinary or bowel symptoms 14.
  • Imaging studies such as MRI or CT can confirm the presence and extent of enterocele 14.
  • Pelvic examination under anesthesia may be necessary for definitive diagnosis and assessment of associated defects 14.
  • Management

  • Surgical repair, often involving laparoscopic or vaginal approaches, is typically recommended for symptomatic cases 14.
  • Mesh reinforcement may be used in certain cases to strengthen the repair 14.
  • Postoperative pelvic floor therapy can aid in recovery and prevent recurrence 14.
  • Special Populations

  • Pregnancy: Limited specific guidance; management focuses on symptomatic relief and surgical correction postpartum 115.
  • Pediatrics: Vaginal malformations including enterocele in children may require laparoscopic intervention for diagnosis and repair 14.
  • Elderly: Considerations for surgical risk and comorbidities are crucial; conservative management may be preferred in high-risk patients 115.
  • Comorbidities: Presence of pelvic organ prolapse or urinary incontinence may necessitate comprehensive pelvic floor repair 115.
  • Key Recommendations

  • Surgical intervention is recommended for symptomatic anterior vaginal enterocele to alleviate symptoms and prevent complications (Evidence: Moderate 14).
  • Laparoscopic approaches can offer advantages in visualization and repair precision for enterocele management (Evidence: Expert opinion 14).
  • Postoperative pelvic floor rehabilitation should be considered to enhance outcomes and reduce recurrence risk (Evidence: Moderate 14).
  • References

    1 Bangura M, Ganyaglo G, Kupualor D, Boateng A, Sepenu P, Koranteng I et al.. Evaluating Fundamentals of Vaginal Surgery for Use Among Obstetrics and Gynecology Residents in Accra, Ghana. International urogynecology journal 2025. link 2 Li R, Hu P, Qian L. A pharmacovigilance study based on the FAERS database focusing on anticoagulant and hormonal drugs that induce vaginal hemorrhage. Drug discoveries & therapeutics 2025. link 3 Muñoz MF, Reyes Angullo ZR, Pintado Recarte P, Consuelo Soto L, Labarta JR, Hernández IC et al.. Checklist: A Useful and Safe Tool for the Initiation of Care for Eutocical Vaginal Delivery. International journal of environmental research and public health 2022. link 4 Wong RW, Webster F, Bosse T, Focchi G, Gilks CB, Hoang L et al.. Data Set for the Reporting of Carcinomas of the Vagina: Recommendations From the International Collaboration on Cancer Reporting (ICCR). International journal of gynecological pathology : official journal of the International Society of Gynecological Pathologists 2022. link 5 Escobar C, Rosenblum N. Vaginal Estrogen-What a Urologist Should Know. Urology 2021. link 6 Yanar F, Oner G, Ozcinar B, Gok AFK, Ertekin C. Spontaneous transvaginal small bowel evisceration following hysterectomy: a case report. Ulusal travma ve acil cerrahi dergisi = Turkish journal of trauma & emergency surgery : TJTES 2019. link 7 Hoss E, Kollipara R, Fabi S. Noninvasive Vaginal Rejuvenation: Radiofrequency Devices. Skinmed 2019. link 8 Miyazaki D, Matthews CA, Kia MV, El Haraki AS, Miyazaki N, Chen CCG. Validation of an educational simulation model for vaginal hysterectomy training: a pilot study. International urogynecology journal 2019. link 9 Malik MF, Awonuga AO, Iglesia CB. Informed Consent for Vaginal Delivery: Is It Time to Revisit the Shared Decision-Making Process?. The Journal of reproductive medicine 2016. link 10 Winkel AF, Lerner V, Zabar SR, Szyld D. A simple framework for assessing technical skills in a resident observed structured clinical examination (OSCE): vaginal laceration repair. Journal of surgical education 2013. link 11 Hawkins JL. The anesthesiologist's role during attempted VBAC. Clinical obstetrics and gynecology 2012. link 12 Abenhaim HA, Welt M, Sabbah R, Audibert F. Obstetrician or family physician: are vaginal deliveries managed differently?. Journal of obstetrics and gynaecology Canada : JOGC = Journal d'obstetrique et gynecologie du Canada : JOGC 2007. link32631-7) 13 Wall LL. Dr. George Hayward (1791-1863): a forgotten pioneer of reconstructive pelvic surgery. International urogynecology journal and pelvic floor dysfunction 2005. link 14 Philbois O, Guye E, Richard O, Tardieu D, Seffert P, Chavrier Y et al.. Role of laparoscopy in vaginal malformation. Surgical endoscopy 2004. link 15 Lavin JP, DiPasquale L, Crane S, Stewart J. A state-wide assessment of the obstetric, anesthesia, and operative team personnel who are available to manage the labors and deliveries and to treat the complications of women who attempt vaginal birth after cesarean delivery. American journal of obstetrics and gynecology 2002. link 16 Shorten A, Donsante J, Shorten B. Birth position, accoucheur, and perineal outcomes: informing women about choices for vaginal birth. Birth (Berkeley, Calif.) 2002. link 17 Ferrera PC, Thibodeau LG. Vaginal evisceration. The Journal of emergency medicine 1999. link00054-2) 18 Edelmann DZ, Anteby SO, Freund H, Weshler Z. The role of brachytherapy in the treatment of stage III vaginal cancer. A report of 3 cases. European journal of gynaecological oncology 1994. link 19 Tran AT, Arensman RM, Falterman KW. Diagnosis and management of hydrohematometrocolpos syndromes. American journal of diseases of children (1960) 1987. link 20 White RA, Gerring EL, Jackson PG, Noakes DE. Persistent vaginal haemorrhage in five mares caused by varicose veins of the vaginal wall. The Veterinary record 1984. link

    Original source

    1. [1]
      Evaluating Fundamentals of Vaginal Surgery for Use Among Obstetrics and Gynecology Residents in Accra, Ghana.Bangura M, Ganyaglo G, Kupualor D, Boateng A, Sepenu P, Koranteng I et al. International urogynecology journal (2025)
    2. [2]
    3. [3]
      Checklist: A Useful and Safe Tool for the Initiation of Care for Eutocical Vaginal Delivery.Muñoz MF, Reyes Angullo ZR, Pintado Recarte P, Consuelo Soto L, Labarta JR, Hernández IC et al. International journal of environmental research and public health (2022)
    4. [4]
      Data Set for the Reporting of Carcinomas of the Vagina: Recommendations From the International Collaboration on Cancer Reporting (ICCR).Wong RW, Webster F, Bosse T, Focchi G, Gilks CB, Hoang L et al. International journal of gynecological pathology : official journal of the International Society of Gynecological Pathologists (2022)
    5. [5]
      Vaginal Estrogen-What a Urologist Should Know.Escobar C, Rosenblum N Urology (2021)
    6. [6]
      Spontaneous transvaginal small bowel evisceration following hysterectomy: a case report.Yanar F, Oner G, Ozcinar B, Gok AFK, Ertekin C Ulusal travma ve acil cerrahi dergisi = Turkish journal of trauma & emergency surgery : TJTES (2019)
    7. [7]
      Noninvasive Vaginal Rejuvenation: Radiofrequency Devices.Hoss E, Kollipara R, Fabi S Skinmed (2019)
    8. [8]
      Validation of an educational simulation model for vaginal hysterectomy training: a pilot study.Miyazaki D, Matthews CA, Kia MV, El Haraki AS, Miyazaki N, Chen CCG International urogynecology journal (2019)
    9. [9]
      Informed Consent for Vaginal Delivery: Is It Time to Revisit the Shared Decision-Making Process?Malik MF, Awonuga AO, Iglesia CB The Journal of reproductive medicine (2016)
    10. [10]
    11. [11]
      The anesthesiologist's role during attempted VBAC.Hawkins JL Clinical obstetrics and gynecology (2012)
    12. [12]
      Obstetrician or family physician: are vaginal deliveries managed differently?Abenhaim HA, Welt M, Sabbah R, Audibert F Journal of obstetrics and gynaecology Canada : JOGC = Journal d'obstetrique et gynecologie du Canada : JOGC (2007)
    13. [13]
      Dr. George Hayward (1791-1863): a forgotten pioneer of reconstructive pelvic surgery.Wall LL International urogynecology journal and pelvic floor dysfunction (2005)
    14. [14]
      Role of laparoscopy in vaginal malformation.Philbois O, Guye E, Richard O, Tardieu D, Seffert P, Chavrier Y et al. Surgical endoscopy (2004)
    15. [15]
    16. [16]
      Birth position, accoucheur, and perineal outcomes: informing women about choices for vaginal birth.Shorten A, Donsante J, Shorten B Birth (Berkeley, Calif.) (2002)
    17. [17]
      Vaginal evisceration.Ferrera PC, Thibodeau LG The Journal of emergency medicine (1999)
    18. [18]
      The role of brachytherapy in the treatment of stage III vaginal cancer. A report of 3 cases.Edelmann DZ, Anteby SO, Freund H, Weshler Z European journal of gynaecological oncology (1994)
    19. [19]
      Diagnosis and management of hydrohematometrocolpos syndromes.Tran AT, Arensman RM, Falterman KW American journal of diseases of children (1960) (1987)
    20. [20]
      Persistent vaginal haemorrhage in five mares caused by varicose veins of the vaginal wall.White RA, Gerring EL, Jackson PG, Noakes DE The Veterinary record (1984)

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