Estimated Levator Ani Subtended Volume: A Predictive Biomarker for Surgical Outcomes Following Native Tissue Apical Repair.

Objective: The aim of the study was to investigate the clinical utility of estimated levator ani subtended volume (eLASV) as a prospective preoperative biomarker for prediction of surgical outcomes.

Study Design: This is a prospective case-control pilot study. Patients were recruited and gave consent between January 2018 and December 2020.

Biomechanical integrity score of the female pelvic floor.

Introduction And Hypothesis: The aim of this study is to develop and validate a new integral parameter, the Biomechanical Integrity score (BI-score), for the characterization of the female pelvic floor.

Methods: A total of 253 subjects with normal and pelvic organ prolapse (POP) conditions were included in the multi-site observational, case-control study; 125 subjects had normal pelvic floor conditions, and 128 subjects had POP stage II or higher. A Vaginal Tactile Imager (VTI) was used to acquire and automatically calculate 52 biomechanical parameters for eight VTI test procedures (probe insertion, elevation, rotation, Valsalva maneuver, voluntary muscle contractions in two planes, relaxation, and reflex contraction).

Levator ani muscle (LAM) anatomical volume compared to age and body mass index (BMI) of patients.

Introduction And Hypothesis: The levator ani muscle (LAM) plays an important role in pelvic support. Estimated levator ani subtended volume (eLASV) is an objective measurement of the anatomical volume of the LAM obtained from pelvic MRIs. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between the anatomical volume of LAM to the age and body mass index (BMI) of a surgical patient based on our previous published cutoff value of increased LAM volume as measured by pelvic MRIs (eLASV > 38.

Predictive Value of Biomechanical Mapping for Pelvic Organ Prolapse Surgery.

Objective: This study examined biomechanical changes in pelvic floor after urogynecological surgery.

Methods: This multisite clinical study was designed to explore changes in tissue elasticity, pelvic support, and certain functions (contractive strength, muscle relaxation speed, muscle motility) after pelvic organ prolapse (POP) surgery. A biomechanical mapping of the pelvic floor was performed before and 4 to 6 months after the surgery.

Biomechanical Mapping of the Female Pelvic Floor: Uterine Prolapse Versus Normal Conditions.

Introduction: Quantitative biomechanical characterization of pelvic supportive structures and functions in vivo is thought to provide insight into the pathophysiology of pelvic organ prolapse (POP). Vaginal tactile imaging is an innovative approach to the biomechanical mapping of the female pelvic floor to quantify tissue elasticity, pelvic support, and pelvic muscle functions. The Vaginal Tactile Imager (VTI) records high definition pressure patterns through the vaginal walls under an applied tissue deformation and during pelvic floor muscle contractions.

Biomechanical Mapping of the Female Pelvic Floor: Prolapse versus Normal Conditions.

Background: Quantitative biomechanical characterization of pelvic supportive structures and functions is thought to provide insight into pathophysiology of pelvic organ prolapse (POP). An innovative approach-vaginal tactile imaging-allows biomechanical mapping of the female pelvic floor to quantify tissue elasticity, pelvic support, and pelvic muscle functions. The Vaginal Tactile Imager (VTI) records high definition pressure patterns from vaginal walls under an applied tissue deformation and during pelvic floor muscle contractions.

Constipation: a potential cause of pelvic floor damage?

Background: Pelvic floor damage is a major clinical problem usually attributed to obstetric injury. We speculated that constipation may also be an aetiological and preventable factor resulting from repeated stress on the perineum over many years, and this study aimed to test this hypothesis.

Methods: A total of 600 women attending a gynaecological clinic were assessed using a structured questionnaire gathering data on pelvic floor damage, constipation and obstetric trauma.

Interstitial cystitis and pelvic floor dysfunction: a comprehensive review.

Interstitial cystitis is a clinical condition occurring predominantly in women and is characterized by urinary frequency, urgency, and pain. Patient symptoms have the potential to significantly affect quality of life, posing a challenge to some to perform activities of daily living. This article comprehensively reviews the literature on the epidemiology, etiology, evaluation, and treatment of interstitial cystitis, and considers commonly associated pelvic floor dysfunction.