Comparison of the Perineal Body Between Chinese Women With Pelvic Organ Prolapse and Women With Normal Support by Magnetic Resonance Imaging With 3-Dimensional Reconstruction.

Objective: This study aimed to determine whether the perineal body (PB) is different between women with and without prolapse and to analyze its association with prolapse.

Methods: This cross-sectional observational study was performed in a tertiary-level urology department and included patients with stage II-IV pelvic organ prolapse (POP) and normal controls with all points 1 cm or more above the hymen. The patients underwent supine midsagittal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at rest and during the maximum Valsalva maneuver. Perineal mobility and PB length, height, perimeter, and area were measured; in addition, the genital hiatus and PB were measured according to the definition of the Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification system. Univariate associations of POP with characteristics were assessed using the chi-square test or Fisher exact test for categorical variables and the t test for continuous variables. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to estimate the adjusted odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals.

Results: Seventy-two controls and 130 patients were analyzed. The PB length, height, and area measurements were significantly lower in the POP group. The perineal mobility in different directions was significantly higher in the POP group. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that the PB area and perineal mobility in the ventral-dorsal and cranio-caudal directions were associated with POP.

Conclusions: Our data suggest that a smaller PB area and greater dorsal or caudal mobility are associated with prolapse.