A historical perspective on cystocele repair-from honey to pessaries to anterior colporrhaphy: Lessons from the past

Purpose: Ancient reports of the treatment of anterior vaginal wall prolapse (cystocele) include the use of honey, astringents and even turning the woman upside down. Various objects were inserted into the vagina to correct this condition. These have since evolved to modern day pessaries. There is limited information on the historical surgical management of cystocele. In this review we provide a historical perspective on the treatment of cystocele. Materials and Methods: A MEDLINE (R) search was conducted using the words prolapse, cystocele, etiology, anatomy, pathophysiology, classification systems and the modifications in the nonsurgical and surgical techniques involved in cystocele repair. Results: Development of pelvic surgery finds its roots in the Ebers papyrus (1550 BC) and evolved from Hippocrates (400 BC) who used pessaries with pomegranate to reduce uterine prolapse. Other maneuvers were also used. Vesalius was the first to provide a detailed description of the entire female genital tract. Adolf Retzius defined the boundaries of the prevesical space in 1849. The current concepts regarding the etiology of cystocele were proposed in 1912. Modern pelvic organ surgeons have modified these concepts to popularize new surgical approaches to this ancient clinical problem. Conclusions: These contributions provide a sound basis for future surgical developments.