History of Uterine Suspension
In The Past
Like many other medical procedures, uterine suspension has experienced
variations in its popularity. The procedure was developed in the 1800s and
was once commonly performed for a wide variety of general complaints including
simple backache, fatigue and general pelvic pain. Approximately 200 different
methods for performing uterine suspension have been described in the medical
literature. In the past, the procedure was performed via open abdominal surgery
and required a lengthy recovery. Because the true indications for the procedure
were not identified, it was not prescribed appropriately and did not do much for
women's problems. As a result, uterine suspension fell out of favor, and physicians
performed fewer and fewer of them.
Today
Now, however, physicians have "rediscovered" uterine suspension and have a better
understanding of which patients can benefit most from it. Recent medical journal
articles have reported on the successful application of uterine suspension for:
Uterine suspension can also be performed laparoscopically, which reduces both the procedure
and recovery times. For example, the UPLIFT laparoscopic uterine suspension procedure can be
performed in about 12 minutes on an out-patient basis. Women can return to their normal
activities in a matter of days, rather than the weeks it used to take when uterine suspension
was performed through abdominal surgery.
Despite these advances in the understanding of uterine suspension, many health care
professionals remain skeptical of the procedure. They may be unaware of the new evidence
and as a result may be limiting treatment options for their patients.
