Pelvic Organ Prolapse Flashcards
Define prolapse and female pelvic organ prolapse (POP)
- Prolapse, Protrusion of an organ or structure beyond its normal anatomical confines
- Female POP, Refers to the descent of the pelvic organs towards or through the vagina
6 dynamic organs of the pelvic floor
- Uterus
- Vagina
- Bladder
- Urethra
- Rectum
- Anus
3 layers of the pelvic floor
- Endo-pelvic fascia
- Pelvic diaphragm
- Urogenital diaphragm
(They do not parallel each other and vary in thickness from place to place)
Describe the endo-pelvic fascia
- Network of fibro-muscular connective type tissue
- Has “hammock like” configuration
- Surrounds the various visceral structure
- Fibro-muscular component can stretch (uterosacral)
- Connective tissue does not stretch or attenuate but breaks
Describe the pelvic diaphragm
Layer of striated muscle with its fascial coverings (levator ani & coccygeus)
Describe the urogenital diaphragm
-The superficial & deep transverse perineal muscles with their fascial coverings
Describe the 3 levels of endopelvic support
Level 1 -Utero-sacral ligaments -Cardinal ligaments Level 2 -Para-vagina to arcus tendineus fascia: Pubocervical/Rectovaginal fascia Level 3 -Urogenital diaphragm -Perineal body
Risk factors for POP
- Pregnancy + vaginal delivery (forceps, macrosomia, prolonged 2nd stage)
- Age
- Obesity
- Previous pelvic surgery
- Occupation with heavy lifting
- Exercise (weight lifting, long-distance running)
Parity is the single largest risk factor
5 traditional classifications of POP
- Urethrocele
- Cystocele
- Uterovaginal prolapse
- Enterocele
- Rectocele
Define urethrocele and cystocele
- Urethrocele, Prolapse of lower ant. vaginal wall involving the urethra only
- Cystocele, Prolapse of upper ant. vaginal wall involving the bladder
Define uterovaginal prolapse, enterocele and rectocele
- Uterovaginal prolapse, Prolapse of uterus cervix and upper vagina
- Enterocele, Upper post. wall of vagina, usually contains loops of small bowel
- Rectocele, Lower post. wall of vagina involving rectum bulging forwards into vagina
Problem with the traditional classification of POP
- Implies an unrealistic certainty as to the structures on the other side of vaginal bulge
- This is often a false assumption, particularly in women with previous prolapse surgery
Vaginal symptoms of POP
- Sensation/seeing/feeling of bulge/protrusion
- Pressure
- Difficulty inserting tampons
- Heaviness
Urinary symptoms of POP
- Urinary incontinence
- Frequency/urgency
- Weak/prolonged urinary stream, hesitancy, feeling of incomplete voiding
- Manual reduction of prolapse to start or complete voiding
Bowel symptoms of POP
- Incontinence (flatus//liquid/stool)
- Feeling of incomplete emptying/straining
- Urgency
- Digital evacuation to complete defecation
- Splinting/pushing on/around the vagina/perineum to start/complete defecation