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Obstetrics124 papers

Female enterocele

Last edited: 4/14/2026

Overview

Enterocele, a form of pelvic organ prolapse, involves the herniation of peritoneum or small bowel into the vaginal canal, often associated with apical prolapse such as uterine or vaginal vault descent. 4

Diagnosis

  • Clinical assessment through pelvic examination is essential for diagnosis.
  • Imaging studies like MRI or ultrasound may be used to confirm the presence and extent of enterocele 4.
  • No specific grading system universally accepted; clinical severity often guides management decisions 4.
  • Management

  • Surgical intervention is often required for symptomatic enterocele, including vaginal or laparoscopic approaches to repair apical prolapse and enterocele 4.
  • Conservative management may include pelvic floor therapy for mild cases, though evidence is limited 4.
  • Use of mesh in surgical repairs can be considered to enhance durability, though associated risks must be weighed 4.
  • Special Populations

  • Pregnancy: Limited data; surgical intervention typically deferred until postpartum stabilization 4.
  • Elderly: Considerations for comorbidities and surgical risk stratification are crucial 4.
  • Comorbidities: Presence of other pelvic floor disorders may influence surgical approach and complexity 4.
  • Key Recommendations

  • Surgical repair is recommended for symptomatic enterocele to alleviate symptoms and prevent complications (Evidence: Moderate 4).
  • Patient-specific factors including age, comorbidities, and surgical history should guide the choice between vaginal versus laparoscopic repair (Evidence: Expert opinion 4).
  • Incorporate pelvic floor therapy as adjunctive management for mild cases to improve outcomes (Evidence: Weak 4).
  • References

    1 Shvartsman K, Abuhamdeh SA, Dong T, Lutgendorf M, Peterson L, Ulfers A et al.. Are Age, Sex, or Race and Ethnicity Associated With Performance on the OBGYN NBME Exam and Clerkship?. Journal of surgical education 2025. link 2 Choueka D, Tabakin AL, Shalom DF. ChatGPT in Urogynecology Research: Novel or Not?. Urogynecology (Philadelphia, Pa.) 2024. link 3 Meister T, Foessleitner P, Breuer G, Winder FM, Favero M, Friemann M et al.. The impact of gender on the self-confidence of practical and surgical skills among OBGYN residents: a trinational survey. Archives of gynecology and obstetrics 2024. link 4 Maher C, Yeung E, Haya N, Christmann-Schmid C, Mowat A, Chen Z et al.. Surgery for women with apical vaginal prolapse. The Cochrane database of systematic reviews 2023. link 5 Sappenfield EC, Tunitsky-Bitton E. Beef Tongue Surgical Simulation Model for Posterior Vaginal Repair. Obstetrics and gynecology 2021. link 6 Winkelman WD, Jaresova A, Hacker MR, Richardson ML. Salary Disparities in Academic Urogynecology: Despite Increased Transparency, Men Still Earn More Than Women. Southern medical journal 2020. link 7 Mathew S, Samant N, Cooksey C, Ramm O. Knowledge, Attitudes, and Perceptions About Medicolegal Education: A Survey of OB/GYN Residents. The Permanente journal 2020. link 8 Biggs MA, Kimport K, Mays A, Kaller S, Berglas NF. Young Women's Perspectives About the Contraceptive Counseling Received During Their Emergency Contraception Visit. Women's health issues : official publication of the Jacobs Institute of Women's Health 2019. link 9 Hill N, Gupta A, Zakaryan A, Morey R. The success of 6-hour hospital discharge on patients having vaginal repair operations using a new conscious sedation technique. Journal of obstetrics and gynaecology : the journal of the Institute of Obstetrics and Gynaecology 2011. link

    Original source

    1. [1]
      Are Age, Sex, or Race and Ethnicity Associated With Performance on the OBGYN NBME Exam and Clerkship?Shvartsman K, Abuhamdeh SA, Dong T, Lutgendorf M, Peterson L, Ulfers A et al. Journal of surgical education (2025)
    2. [2]
      ChatGPT in Urogynecology Research: Novel or Not?Choueka D, Tabakin AL, Shalom DF Urogynecology (Philadelphia, Pa.) (2024)
    3. [3]
      The impact of gender on the self-confidence of practical and surgical skills among OBGYN residents: a trinational survey.Meister T, Foessleitner P, Breuer G, Winder FM, Favero M, Friemann M et al. Archives of gynecology and obstetrics (2024)
    4. [4]
      Surgery for women with apical vaginal prolapse.Maher C, Yeung E, Haya N, Christmann-Schmid C, Mowat A, Chen Z et al. The Cochrane database of systematic reviews (2023)
    5. [5]
      Beef Tongue Surgical Simulation Model for Posterior Vaginal Repair.Sappenfield EC, Tunitsky-Bitton E Obstetrics and gynecology (2021)
    6. [6]
      Salary Disparities in Academic Urogynecology: Despite Increased Transparency, Men Still Earn More Than Women.Winkelman WD, Jaresova A, Hacker MR, Richardson ML Southern medical journal (2020)
    7. [7]
      Knowledge, Attitudes, and Perceptions About Medicolegal Education: A Survey of OB/GYN Residents.Mathew S, Samant N, Cooksey C, Ramm O The Permanente journal (2020)
    8. [8]
      Young Women's Perspectives About the Contraceptive Counseling Received During Their Emergency Contraception Visit.Biggs MA, Kimport K, Mays A, Kaller S, Berglas NF Women's health issues : official publication of the Jacobs Institute of Women's Health (2019)
    9. [9]
      The success of 6-hour hospital discharge on patients having vaginal repair operations using a new conscious sedation technique.Hill N, Gupta A, Zakaryan A, Morey R Journal of obstetrics and gynaecology : the journal of the Institute of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (2011)

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