B Gachon1, D Desseauve2, L Fradet3, A Decatoire3, P Lacouture3, F Pierre4, X Fritel5. 1. Service de gynécologie obstétrique et médecine de la reproduction, CHU de Poitiers, 2, rue de la Milétrie, 86021 Poitiers cedex, France; CNRS UPR 3346, Futuroscope, institut Pprime - Axe RoBioSS, université de Poitiers ENSMA, 86360 Futuroscope, France. Electronic address: bertrand.gachon@gmail.com. 2. Service de gynécologie obstétrique et médecine de la reproduction, CHU de Poitiers, 2, rue de la Milétrie, 86021 Poitiers cedex, France; CNRS UPR 3346, Futuroscope, institut Pprime - Axe RoBioSS, université de Poitiers ENSMA, 86360 Futuroscope, France. 3. CNRS UPR 3346, Futuroscope, institut Pprime - Axe RoBioSS, université de Poitiers ENSMA, 86360 Futuroscope, France. 4. Service de gynécologie obstétrique et médecine de la reproduction, CHU de Poitiers, 2, rue de la Milétrie, 86021 Poitiers cedex, France. 5. Service de gynécologie obstétrique et médecine de la reproduction, CHU de Poitiers, 2, rue de la Milétrie, 86021 Poitiers cedex, France; Inserm CIC-P 1402, centre d'investigation clinique pluri-thématique du CHU de Poitiers, 86021 Poitiers, France; CESP UMR Inserm U1018, équipe 7 : genre, santé sexuelle et reproductive, 94270 Kremlin-Bicêtre, France.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: The role of pregnancy in pelvic floor disorders occurrence remains poorly known. It might exist a link between changes in ligamentous laxity and changes in pelvic organ mobility during this period. Our objective was to conduct a non-systematic review of literature about changes in pelvic organ mobility as well as in ligamentous laxity during pregnancy and postpartum. METHODS: From the PubMed, Medline, Cochrane Library and Web of Science database we have selected works which pertains clinical assessment of pelvic organ mobility (pelvic organ prolapse quantification), ultrasound assessment of levator hiatus and urethral mobility, ligamentous laxity assessment during pregnancy and postpartum. RESULTS: Clinical assessments performed in these works show an increase of pelvic organ mobility and perineal distension during pregnancy followed by a recovery phase during postpartum. Pelvic floor imaging shows an increase of levator hiatus area and urethral mobility during pregnancy then a recovery phase in postpartum. Different authors also report an increase of ligamentous laxity (upper and lower limbs) during pregnancy followed by a decrease phase in postpartum. CONCLUSION: Pelvic organ mobility, ligamentous laxity, levator hiatus and urethral mobility change in a similarly way during pregnancy (increase of mobility or distension) and postpartum (recovery). LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3.
INTRODUCTION: The role of pregnancy in pelvic floor disorders occurrence remains poorly known. It might exist a link between changes in ligamentous laxity and changes in pelvic organ mobility during this period. Our objective was to conduct a non-systematic review of literature about changes in pelvic organ mobility as well as in ligamentous laxity during pregnancy and postpartum. METHODS: From the PubMed, Medline, Cochrane Library and Web of Science database we have selected works which pertains clinical assessment of pelvic organ mobility (pelvic organ prolapse quantification), ultrasound assessment of levator hiatus and urethral mobility, ligamentous laxity assessment during pregnancy and postpartum. RESULTS: Clinical assessments performed in these works show an increase of pelvic organ mobility and perineal distension during pregnancy followed by a recovery phase during postpartum. Pelvic floor imaging shows an increase of levator hiatus area and urethral mobility during pregnancy then a recovery phase in postpartum. Different authors also report an increase of ligamentous laxity (upper and lower limbs) during pregnancy followed by a decrease phase in postpartum. CONCLUSION: Pelvic organ mobility, ligamentous laxity, levator hiatus and urethral mobility change in a similarly way during pregnancy (increase of mobility or distension) and postpartum (recovery). LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3.