Overview
"For so long, I had a sensation in my vagina that felt like something was going to fall out. I finally had the Apogee procedure and I feel as though my body has been restored."*
Apogee™ Vaginal Vault Prolapse Repair System
Apogee™ is a comprehensive, minimally invasive treatment designed to restore normal anatomy after vaginal vault prolapse. Vaginal vault prolapse occurs when the upper portion of the vagina (the apex) descends into the vaginal canal or outside the vagina.
During the Apogee procedure, a surgical mesh is placed in your body and is designed to restore the vaginal apex to a more normal position.
Sometimes, women have more than one organ prolapse at a time. The Apogee™ system comes with graft materials that allow for repair of intestinal bulges (enterocele) and rectal bulges (rectocele) during the same procedure, if necessary.
Benefits
The Apogee System offers many benefits:
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A comprehensive, minimally invasive solution for vaginal vault prolapse
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Desgined to restore normal anatomy without the risks associated with an open abdominal procedure
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Can include synthetic or biologic graft material that can be customized to best meet your needs
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With InteXen or IntePro, the ability to combine multiple repairs in one procedure
*These comments are based on the types of experiences relayed in monitored chat rooms where patients have shared their experiences. They are not reflective of individual patients, and may not be typical for all users.
The Procedure
The Apogee™ procedure is an in-patient procedure and usually is performed under general anesthesia.
Dr. Huertas will perform the surgery vaginally, meaning an incision will be made through your vagina rather than abdominally. Small incisions also are made in each buttock to pass a needle from the buttock to the vaginal canal.
In general, the Apogee procedure involves the following steps. (Dr. Huertas' method may vary slightly from this one.)
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An incision is made in the vaginal wall.
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A needle is inserted in each buttock and passed to the opening in the vaginal wall.
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The mesh is attached to the needles via the opening in the vaginal wall.
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The needles are retracted and exit through the same entry points in the buttock.
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Dr. Huertas may attach the mesh to the vault with minimal suture stitches.
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The vaginal incision is closed.
What to Expect After the Procedure
Dr. Huertas will require you to stay in the hospital overnight. Also, Dr. Huertas may insert a catheter through your urethra to drain urine from your bladder. You may be prescribed antibiotics to prevent infection and analgesics (pain medicine) for any post-operative discomfort.
During the healing period, for approximately four weeks, you should avoid sexual intercourse, heavy lifting and rigorous exercise. Dr. Huertas will provide you with additional information on how to care for yourself after surgery, including any other limitations to activities.
Is it Right for You?
Apogee™ is a solution for women with vaginal vault prolapse.
The procedure is not for recommended for:
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Pregnant patients
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Individuals who have areas of active or latent infection or who show signs of tissue necrosis (tissue that is dead due to injury or disease)
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Individuals who have any disorder that would create an unacceptable risk of post-operative complication
The best way to determine if Apogee™ is right for you is to talk to Dr. Huertas.
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If you would like more information about the Vaginal Vault Prolapse Repair System procedure or any of the other services offered by Dr. Huertas, please contact his office at 972-279-9000 and his capable staff will guide you through the process. Even better, for more personalized information specific to your individual needs, contact us or call today to schedule a consultation.
The Dallas Center for Laser Vaginal Rejuvenation
Otoniel Huertas, MD
2540 N Galloway Ave.
Bldg 3, Suite 304
Mesquite, TX 75150
972-279-9000
Contact us or call to schedule your personal consultation.