Genitourinary Prolapse Flashcards
What is a uterine prolapse?
When the female pelvic organs fall from their normal position into or through the vagina
What % of parous women are affected by pelvic organ prolapse?
40-60%
Why is the exact incidence of pelvic organ prolapse difficult to determine?
Many do not receive medical advice
What is a woman’s lifetime risk of surgery for pelvic organ prolapse?
12-19%
What is the most common type of pelvic organ prolapse prolapse?
Prolapse of the anterior vaginal wall
What provides the main support for the pelvic organs?
- Levator ani muscle
- Endopelvic fascia
What is the endopelvic fascia?
A connective tissue network connecting the organs to the pelvic muscles and bones
What organs can be involved in a pelvic organ prolapse?
- Uterus
- Bladder
- Rectum
- Small or large bowel
- Vaginal vault
Where can the organs of a pelvic organ prolapse affect when they descend?
Anterior/posterior vaginal walls
What usually underlies most cases of pelvic organ prolapse?
Multifactorial causes
What can be involved in the multifactorial causes of pelvic organ prolapse?
- Direct muscle trauma
- Neuropathic injury
- Disruption or stretching of support
What different compartments of the pelvis can be affected by pelvic organ prolapse?
- Anterior
- Middle
- Posterior
What are the types of anterior compartment pelvic organ prolapse?
- Urethrocele
- Cystocele
What are the types of middle compartment pelvic organ prolapse?
- Uterine prolapse
- Vaginal vault prolapse
- Enterocele
What are the types of posterior compartment pelvic organ prolapse?
- Rectocele
Why do crabs make good burglars?
They’re great at pinching things
What is a urethrocele?
Prolapse of the urethra into the vagina
What is a cystocele?
Prolapse of the bladder into the vagina
What is a uterine prolapse?
Descent of the uterus into the vagina
What is a vaginal vault prolapse?
Descent of the vaginal vault post-hysterectomy
What is an enterocele?
Herniation of the pouch of Douglas (including small intestine/omentum) into the vagina
What is a rectocele?
Prolapse of the rectum into the vagina
What system is used to grade pelvic organ prolapse?
POPQ system
What is the POPQ system?
Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification System
What is a Stage 0 POPQ pelvic organ prolapse?
No prolapse
What is a Stage 1 pelvic organ prolapse?
More than 1 cm above the hymen level
What is a Stage 2 pelvic organ prolapse?
Within 1 cm proximal/distal to the plane of the hymen
What is a Stage 3 pelvic organ prolapse?
More than 1cm below the plane of the hymen but no further than 2cm less than total length of the vagina
What is a Stage 4 pelvic organ prolapse?
Complete eversion of the vagina
What are the risk factors for pelvic organ prolapse?
- Increasing age
- Vaginal delivery
- Increasing parity
- Obesity
- Previous hysterectomy
How do mild pelvic organ prolapses present?
Many are asymptomatic and are incidental findings
How severe can the symptoms of pelvic organ prolapse be?
Severe enough to affect quality of life