Vol 86, No 1 (2015)
ARTICLES
Postpartum levator ani muscle injuries. Diagnosis and treatment
Michał Chojnacji, Dariusz Borowski, Mirosław Wielgoś, Piotr Węgrzyn
DOI: 10.17772/gp/1902
·
Ginekol Pol 2015;86(1).
Vol 86, No 1 (2015)
ARTICLES
Abstract
Levator ani muscle (LAM) injuries are much more frequent than trauma to sphincter ani muscles, but so far they have been omitted in obstetric handbooks. Levator ani avulsion is observed only after vaginal delivery. Forceps delivery, second stage of labor ≥110 min., fetal head circumference ≥ 35 cm, episiotomy and coincidence of anal sphincter trauma are risk factors for levator ani avulsion. The most vital issue in that type of trauma is pelvic organ
prolapse and 2-4-fold higher risk of recurrence after prolapse surgery. The current level of evidence does not allow to conclusively determine the of role of levator avulsion in urinary incontinence. Levator injuries are occult, what constitutes the main diagnostic problem. Until recently, magnetic resonance imaging has been the only diagnostic method until the development of 3-dimensional ultrasound. Nowadays, 3-D ultrasound is an essential technique in static and functional diagnosis of the levator ani. There are no effective methods of levator trauma prevention. Except the risk factors reduction, there are some pilot data about positive role of antepartal perineal muscle training. Physiotherapy plays the main role in reducing the effects of levator trauma. Mesh techniques are the most effective operative methods in coincident pelvic organ prolapse with levator avulsion, but there is still a 2-fold higher risk of
recurrence.
Abstract
Levator ani muscle (LAM) injuries are much more frequent than trauma to sphincter ani muscles, but so far they have been omitted in obstetric handbooks. Levator ani avulsion is observed only after vaginal delivery. Forceps delivery, second stage of labor ≥110 min., fetal head circumference ≥ 35 cm, episiotomy and coincidence of anal sphincter trauma are risk factors for levator ani avulsion. The most vital issue in that type of trauma is pelvic organ
prolapse and 2-4-fold higher risk of recurrence after prolapse surgery. The current level of evidence does not allow to conclusively determine the of role of levator avulsion in urinary incontinence. Levator injuries are occult, what constitutes the main diagnostic problem. Until recently, magnetic resonance imaging has been the only diagnostic method until the development of 3-dimensional ultrasound. Nowadays, 3-D ultrasound is an essential technique in static and functional diagnosis of the levator ani. There are no effective methods of levator trauma prevention. Except the risk factors reduction, there are some pilot data about positive role of antepartal perineal muscle training. Physiotherapy plays the main role in reducing the effects of levator trauma. Mesh techniques are the most effective operative methods in coincident pelvic organ prolapse with levator avulsion, but there is still a 2-fold higher risk of
recurrence.
Keywords
pelvic floor / three-dimensional ultrasound / muscle levator ani / delivery adverse effects
Title
Postpartum levator ani muscle injuries. Diagnosis and treatment
Journal
Ginekologia Polska
Issue
Vol 86, No 1 (2015)
Page views
4420
Article views/downloads
5101
DOI
10.17772/gp/1902
Bibliographic record
Ginekol Pol 2015;86(1).
Keywords
pelvic floor / three-dimensional ultrasound / muscle levator ani / delivery adverse effects
Authors
Michał Chojnacji
Dariusz Borowski
Mirosław Wielgoś
Piotr Węgrzyn