INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: Vaginal birth is an established risk factor for levator ani (LA) defects and incontinence. We hypothesized an association between urethral pressure profiles and LA defects. METHODS: One hundred sixty primiparous women, 9-12 months postpartum, were assessed with MRI for LA defects, urodynamic testing, and instrumented speculum for vaginal closure force. Urodynamic testing included resting maximal urethral closure pressure (MUCP) and urethral closure pressure with a pelvic floor contraction or Kegel (KUCP). We examined the relationships between MUCP, KUCP, LA defect status, and vaginal closure force. RESULTS: There was no significant association between MUCP or KUCP in women with and without LA defects (p = 0.94, p = 0.95). Additionally, there was no correlation between MUCP and vaginal closure force (r = 0.06, p = 0.41), and a weak correlation between KUCP and vaginal closure force (r = 0.20, p = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: In this population, urethral pressure profiles are unrelated to LA defect status after vaginal birth, indicating that the mechanism responsible for LA damage spares the urethra.
INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: Vaginal birth is an established risk factor for levator ani (LA) defects and incontinence. We hypothesized an association between urethral pressure profiles and LA defects. METHODS: One hundred sixty primiparous women, 9-12 months postpartum, were assessed with MRI for LA defects, urodynamic testing, and instrumented speculum for vaginal closure force. Urodynamic testing included resting maximal urethral closure pressure (MUCP) and urethral closure pressure with a pelvic floor contraction or Kegel (KUCP). We examined the relationships between MUCP, KUCP, LA defect status, and vaginal closure force. RESULTS: There was no significant association between MUCP or KUCP in women with and without LA defects (p = 0.94, p = 0.95). Additionally, there was no correlation between MUCP and vaginal closure force (r = 0.06, p = 0.41), and a weak correlation between KUCP and vaginal closure force (r = 0.20, p = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: In this population, urethral pressure profiles are unrelated to LA defect status after vaginal birth, indicating that the mechanism responsible for LA damage spares the urethra.
Authors: Paul Abrams; Linda Cardozo; Magnus Fall; Derek Griffiths; Peter Rosier; Ulf Ulmsten; Philip van Kerrebroeck; Arne Victor; Alan Wein Journal: Neurourol Urodyn Date: 2002 Impact factor: 2.696
Authors: John O L DeLancey; Janis M Miller; Rohna Kearney; Denise Howard; Pranathi Reddy; Wolfgang Umek; Kenneth E Guire; Rebecca U Margulies; James A Ashton-Miller Journal: Obstet Gynecol Date: 2007-08 Impact factor: 7.661
Authors: Janis M Miller; Lisa Kane Low; Ruth Zielinski; Abigail R Smith; John O L DeLancey; Catherine Brandon Journal: Am J Obstet Gynecol Date: 2015-05-05 Impact factor: 8.661
Authors: Whitney Moss; Janet M Shaw; Meng Yang; Xiaoming Sheng; Robert Hitchcock; Stefan Niederauer; Diane Packer; Ingrid E Nygaard Journal: Female Pelvic Med Reconstr Surg Date: 2020-06 Impact factor: 1.913