Pelvic Organ Prolapse Flashcards
What is a prolapse?
Protrusion of an organ or structure beyond its normal anatomical confines
What is female pelvic organ prolapse (POP)?
Refers to the descent of the pelvic organs towards or through the vagina
What is the incidence of prolapse?
True incidence is hard to determine
Estimated to affect 12-30% of multiparous and 2% of nulliparous women
What is the prevalence of prolapse?
Estimates vary from 2% for symptomatic prolapse to 50% for asymptomatic prolapse
What percentage of parous women will have some degree of prolapse?
How many of these will seek medical help?
Approx 50% of parous women will have some degree
Only 10-20% of these seek medical help
In the UK, what percentage of women on the waiting list for major gynaecological surgery is accounted for by POP?
20%
What percentage of indications for hysterectomy is prolapse?
7-14%
What does the abdominopelvic cavity contain?
All the abdominal and pelvic viscera
Why must the walls of the abdominopelvic cavity be of sufficient flexibility?
To withstand the changes in volumes of these organs and also pressure changes within the cavity
What will a normal pelvic floor maintain?
If pelvic floor is normal, all pelvic viscera will be maintained in their position, both at rest and in periods of increased intra-abdominal pressure
What are the layers of the pelvic floor?
Endopelvic fascia
Pelvic diaphragm
Urogenital diaphragm
What is the structure of the endopelvic fascia?
Network of fibromuscular connective type tissue that has a hammock-like configuration and surrounds the various visceral structures
What is the structure of the pelvic diaphragm?
Layer of striated muscles with its fascial coverings
What is the structure of the urogenital diaphragm?
Most superficial layer, superficial and deep transverse perineal muscles with their fascial coverings
What component of the endopelvic fascia can stretch?
Fibromuscular component - connective tissue does not stretch or attenuate, it will break
What is the utero-sacral/cardinal complex?
Where does it lie?
Main support of the uterus
Medially to uterus, cervix, lateral vaginal fornices and pubocervical and rectovaginal fascia
Laterally to the sacrum and fascia overlying the piriformis muscle
How can you palpate the utero-sacral complex?
Easily palpated by down traction on the cervix and if intact allows limited side-to-side movement of the cervix
Where does the utero-sacral complex tend to break?
Medially - around the cervix
What are the features of the rectovaginal fascia?
Fibromusculo-elastic tissue
Centrally merges with base of the utero-sacral ligaments and peritoneum
Laterally fuses with fascia over the elevator ani
Distally firmly attached to the perineal body
Where does the rectovaginal fascia tend to break?
Tends to break centrally
Upper defect - enterocele
Lower defect - perineal body descent and rectocele
What is the level I endopelvic support?
Utero-sacral ligaments
Cardinal ligaments
Best support
What is the level II endopelvic support?
Para-vaginal to arcus tendinous fascia
Pubocervical/rectovaginal fascia