scholarly journals Is the Puborectalis Muscle Part of the Levator Ani Muscle?

2008 ◽  
Vol 51 (7) ◽  
pp. 1165-1166 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christian Wallner
Author(s):  
Heba Azzam ◽  
Manal Halim ◽  
Hany El-Assaly ◽  
Aya Heiba

Abstract Background Pelvic floor dysfunction is known to be among the principal factors influencing public health, regarding frequency, cost and effect on women’s quality of life. Radiographic assessment of the pelvic floor function and anatomy plays a vital role in the recognition of pelvic floor defects. The aim of this study is to detect the postpartum-related levator ani muscle changes thus defining the relationship between the vaginal deliveries and the etiology of pelvic floor dysfunction in order to provide guidelines to decrease the incidence of pelvic floor injuries during parturition and guide the treatment plan. Results There was a significant difference in the puborectalis muscle thickness between the case and control groups in the right puborectalis (P value ≤ 0.001) and in the left puborectalis (P value (≤ 0.001) as well as significant midpoint thickness (P value = 0.03) with 46.2% puborectalis muscle injury in the case group compared with none in the control group. Conclusion Pelvic floor MRI is highly recommended as it is a contrast-free modality that allows for both anatomical and functional analysis. Its incorporation in the routine postpartum assessment will allow early detection of abnormalities even in asymptomatic cases thus ensuring proper management and preventing the development of pelvic floor dysfunction predisposed to by repeated vaginal deliveries.


Author(s):  
Marina Gabriela M. C. Mori da Cunha ◽  
Katerina Mackova ◽  
Lucie Hajkova Hympanova ◽  
Maria Augusta T. Bortolini ◽  
Jan Deprest

Abstract Introduction and hypothesis We aimed to summarize the knowledge on the pathogenesis of pelvic organ prolapse (POP) generated in animal models. Methods We searched MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane and the Web of Science to establish what animal models are used in the study of suggested risk factors for the development of POP, including pregnancy, labor, delivery, parity, aging and menopause. Lack of methodologic uniformity precluded meta-analysis; hence, results are presented as a narrative review. Results A total of 7426 studies were identified, of which 51 were included in the analysis. Pregnancy has a measurable and consistent effect across species. In rats, simulated vaginal delivery induces structural changes in the pelvic floor, without complete recovery of the vaginal muscular layer and its microvasculature, though it does not induce POP. In sheep, first vaginal delivery has a measurable effect on vaginal compliance; measured effects of additional deliveries are inconsistent. Squirrel monkeys can develop POP. Denervation of their levator ani muscle facilitates this process in animals that delivered vaginally. The models used do not develop spontaneous menopause, so it is induced by ovariectomy. Effects of menopause depend on the age at ovariectomy and the interval to measurement. In several species menopause is associated with an increase in collagen content in the longer term. In rodents there were no measurable effects of age apart of elastin changes. We found no usable data for other species. Conclusion In several species there are measurable effects of pregnancy, delivery and iatrogenic menopause. Squirrel monkeys can develop spontaneous prolapse.


2011 ◽  
Vol 38 (S1) ◽  
pp. 154-154 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Chan ◽  
A. S. Wong ◽  
R. Cheung ◽  
A. Yiu ◽  
L. Lee ◽  
...  

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