Rectocele surgery in Korea

Rectocele surgery without mesh: what the evidence says

NICE advises offering posterior vaginal repair without mesh to women with a posterior vaginal wall prolapse. A 2018 Cochrane review of 10 trials in 1,099 women found that transvaginal repair may be more effective than a transanal approach at preventing recurrence, and concluded that the evidence does not support using mesh or graft materials at the time of posterior vaginal repair.

In April 2019 the FDA ordered manufacturers to stop selling mesh for transvaginal repair of pelvic organ prolapse. Pelvic ligament suspension uses the patient's own ligaments and sutures, without synthetic mesh. The evidence for any new technique is shorter than for standard repairs, so ask how long your surgeon has followed patients.

Rectocele repair in Korea: how it works at Podo

Pelvic ligament suspension surgery was developed by Dr. Mo Hyung-jin, the clinic's medical director. A patent application for the technique has been filed with the Korean Intellectual Property Office. The technique restores pelvic support by re-anchoring the patient's own lax pelvic ligaments. It is used for stress urinary incontinence, cystocele, rectocele and uterine prolapse.

A conventional posterior repair (posterior colporrhaphy) folds and stitches the stretched wall between the vagina and the rectum. Pelvic ligament suspension addresses the supports that let the wall bulge forward, re-anchoring them so the posterior wall is held rather than only tightened. The perineal body is assessed at the same time.

Rectocele often coexists with cystocele or uterine descent. The examination tells us which compartments are involved.

The six steps

1. 01 Consultation and posterior wall assessment
   Examination of the back wall and the perineal body, a review of bowel habits and any need to press on the perineum to empty, and vaginal endoscopy imaging. Ultrasound checks whether the bladder or uterus has also descended.
2. 02 Pre-operative check-up
   Blood tests, urine analysis and a review of medications. We start a stool-softening plan before surgery so the first bowel movements afterwards are easy.
3. 03 Anesthesia
   Planned for the procedure and for you under the clinic's four-step protocol.
4. 04 Posterior repair with ligament suspension
   Performed in the clinic's operating room. The supports of the back wall are re-anchored.
5. 05 Recovery suite
   Overnight in a private single-occupancy suite. Sitting is more comfortable on a soft surface for the first days; we show you how.
6. 06 Check-up and documents
   We confirm bowel function is comfortable before you travel. Discharge instructions in English, insurance documents, and the 24-hour nurse line.

Anesthesia follows a four-step protocol tailored to the procedure and the patient. Tell us about previous anesthesia experiences and current medications during pre-consultation.

Recovery and flying home

Most patients are cleared to fly 5–10 days after surgery.

• Day 0Surgery, then overnight in your recovery suite. Expect soreness at the back of the vagina and perineum.
• Day 1Discharge check. Walking is encouraged; sit on a soft surface.
• Days 2–7Keep stools soft with fluids, fibre and the stool softener provided. Do not strain; do not hold back a bowel movement. Short walks.
• Check-upFollow-up check-up, then travel home when we confirm healing. Bring a small cushion for the flight.
• Weeks 2–8No lifting over 10 kg (about 22 pounds) for 8 weeks. Intercourse can usually resume about 8 weeks after surgery, once a check confirms healing. No strenuous exercise until cleared. Soft stools remain the priority for six weeks.

Recovery rooms are private single-occupancy suites. Patients have a 24-hour nurse contact line after surgery. Results and recovery vary from person to person.

Cost

We provide a written estimate after consultation. Prolapse repair is not on the published 2026 schedule and is quoted after examination; the incontinence surgery cost page shows how the clinic's estimates are structured.

What is included

• Surgery and operating room
• Anesthesia
• One night in a recovery suite
• Follow-up check-up before departure
• Insurance claim documents

We prepare the documents international insurers typically require: an itemized English receipt, a medical certificate, procedure codes and a completed claim form. Whether a procedure is reimbursed depends on your policy; we provide documentation, not coverage decisions.

For international patients

Consultations are available in English. We prepare the documents international insurers typically require: an itemized English receipt, a medical certificate, procedure codes and a completed claim form. Payment can be made by international credit card. Plan for 5 to 10 days in Seoul. Tell us in your first message how you empty your bowel and whether you have had a previous repair; it changes how we plan the operation.

Sources

1. ACOG FAQ: Surgery for Pelvic Organ Prolapse
2. NHS: Pelvic organ prolapse
3. IUGA Your Pelvic Floor: Pelvic organ prolapse
4. Cochrane Review 2018 (Mowat et al.): Surgery for women with posterior compartment prolapse (PMC)
5. NICE guideline NG123: Urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse in women, recommendations
6. FDA: Urogynecologic surgical mesh, FDA's activities