Prolapse of a Fallopian Tube Through the Vaginal Introitus Following Vaginal Hysterectomy

Abstract

ABSTRACT

This is the 85th reported case of a fallopian tube prolapse since the first was described in 1902 by Pozzi.¹ Eight months after vaginal hysterectomy, the patient was discovered to have a purple-red, infarcted, irregular tumor with a length of 15 cm and a diameter of 5 cm, with 5 cm prolapsing through the vaginal introitus. At laparotomy, fallopian tube prolapse was diagnosed and a left salpingo-oophorectomy was performed. All cases of fallopian tube prolapse reported from 1973 to 1993 were compared with all cases before this period, as reviewed by Sapan and Solberg.² During both investigation periods, most cases were preceded by vaginal or abdominal hysterectomy, and such symptoms as discharge, abdominal pain, and dyspareunia were observed. Before 1973, however, postoperative complications were more common than in the later period. Correct diagnoses of fallopian tube prolapse were made more frequently after 1973 than before this date. Treatment of fallopian tube prolapse gradually changed over the years from simple vaginal excision and cauterization to laparoscopic or laparoscopically guided vaginal removal. (J GYNECOL SURG 10:271, 1994)