Assessment of pelvic floor muscle function after vaginal delivery. Clinical value of different tests

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of different tests in identifying pelvic floor dysfunction after vaginal delivery. STUDY DESIGN: One hundred ninety-seven primiparae were investigated 2 months after vaginal delivery. They underwent pelvic floor muscle assessment by digital test, vaginal manometry and uroflowmetric stop test. Puerperae were divided into continent and incontinent subpopulations. Variables were subjected to Student's t test and Fisher's exact test to verify the difference between the subpopulations. Kappa values were used to correlate the tests. RESULTS: Perineal performance in incontinent primiparae was weaker in all the tests; only the urine stream interruption test score showed significantly different values (P = .0026), but it did not correlate with the other two tests. CONCLUSION: A simple, objective, noninvasive and low-cost technique, such as the urine stream interruption test, is useful in assessing pelvic floor performance after vaginal delivery but reflects urethrovesical support function rather than pelvic muscle function in toto.     

Perineal evaluation in the puerperium. Role of testing with a cotton-tipped swab

OBJECTIVE: To verify the applicability and significance of testing with a cotton-tipped swab in postpartum evaluation. STUDY DESIGN: One hundred seventy-eight puerperas were examined two months after vaginal delivery and underwent testing with a cotton-tipped swab, digital test, vaginal manometry and uroflowmetric urine stream interruption test. Statistical analysis was performed using Student's t test to evaluate the difference between mean values of continent and incontinent puerperas and the Bravais-Pearson coefficient to test the correlation between all the tests used in the study. RESULTS: Incontinent puerperas and multiparas had significantly higher swab test values than did continent and primiparas, who demonstrated a swab test mean value of 39.5 degrees during the Valsalva maneuver. The sensitivity of the swab test for stress urinary incontinence was 82.5%, while its specificity and positive predictive value were, respectively, 31.1% and 25.8%. CONCLUSION: Perineal damage occurs not only in symptomatic puerperas but most women. The swab test was unable to assess stress urinary incontinence in postpartum women, also, and demonstrated only urethral hypermobility. The swab test in the puerperium does not add significant information about pelvic floor performance and should not be used routinely postpartum.     

产后早期盆底肌康复治疗对产妇盆底功能的近期影响

目的：观察产后早期进行盆底肌电刺激联合生物反馈的康复治疗对不同分娩方式产妇盆底功能的近期影响。方法：选择2009年5月-2010年5月收治产妇200例,治疗组100例与对照组100例,其中每组中分别有择期剖宫产及阴道分娩产妇各50例。治疗组进行盆底肌康复治疗,2组分别于产后6~7周及产后5~6个月应用多功能盆底生物反馈仪进行盆底肌力检测。结果：完成产后6个月随访者171例。经盆底肌电刺激联合生物反馈的康复治疗后,阴道分娩产妇治疗组Ⅰ、Ⅱ类肌纤维肌电活动值均高于对照组,差异有统计学意义（均P＜0.001）;择期剖宫产患者Ⅰ、Ⅱ类肌纤维持续收缩压及ⅡB类肌纤维收缩个数较对照组提高（均P＜0.05）。2种分娩方式产妇产后6个月的盆底肌力治疗组均比对照组增强,尤以阴道分娩组明显。结论：不同分娩方式产妇于产后早期进行盆底肌电刺激联合生物反馈的康复治疗均有助于盆底肌功能恢复,尤其适用于阴道分娩后的产妇。     

产后盆底肌电刺激对不同分娩方式盆底肌力近期疗效观察

目的:观察不同分娩方式产后女性盆底肌力通过电刺激治疗前后的变化,探索其变化的机制。方法:经阴道顺产妇女55例及剖宫产的妇女65例分别随机分为研究组(接受电刺激治疗者)及对照组(自行缩肛提肛运动康复训练),比较不同分娩方式电刺激治疗前后盆底肌力的改变。结果:①顺产研究组经过电刺激治疗后盆底肌力较对照组均明显增加(P<0.01),顺产研究组治疗前后肌力比较差异有高度统计学意义(P<0.01)。②剖宫产研究组经过电刺激治疗后盆底肌力较对照组均明显增加(P<0.05),剖宫产研究组治疗前后肌力比较差异有高度统计学意义(P<0.01)。结论:不同分娩方式对产后早期盆底肌力均有影响,盆底肌电刺激康复治疗对产后女性健康具有重要的临床意义。     

Effects of epidural analgesia during labor on pelvic floor function after vaginal delivery

BACKGROUND: Aims of this study were to determine the rate of symptoms related to perineal trauma (anal and stress urinary incontinence) and to assess pelvic floor muscle function in women who underwent epidural analgesia. METHODS: Comparative design comprising 70 matched pairs of primiparous mothers. Each woman was questioned about urogynecologic symptoms and examined by digital test, vaginal perineometry and uroflowmetric stop test score 3 months after vaginal delivery. Urogenital prolapse was defined in accordance with the Baden and Walker's 'Halfway System Classification'. Statistical analysis was performed using Fisher's exact test to compare the two groups and simple logistic regression models to estimate the odds ratios of every variable considered in respect of the control population. RESULTS: No significant difference was found in the incidence of stress urinary incontinence, anal incontinence and vaginal prolapse in the two study groups. No significant differences were found between the study groups with regard to the digital test, vaginal manometry and urine stream interruption test. CONCLUSIONS: Use of epidural analgesia is not associated with symptoms related to perineal trauma and pelvic floor muscle weakness.     

Pelvic floor function and anatomy after childbirth

OBJECTIVE: To investigate pelvic floor muscle function and anatomy after childbirth in continent women differing in obstetric history. STUDY DESIGN: Young, continent women, age range 20-40 years, were recruited into 3 groups: 1. elective, prelabor cesarean delivery (n =12); 2. vaginal delivery (n = 15); and 3. age-matched nulliparas as controls (n = 13). Pelvic floor muscle strength was measured by a perineometer and also assessed by vaginal palpation. Magnetic resonance imaging of the pelvic floor at rest and on maximal strain was performed. Statistical analysis was carried out using SPSS 10.0 (Chicago, Illinois) for Windows (Microsoft, Redmond, Washington); p < 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: Pelvic floor muscle strength was not different between the vaginal delivery and cesarean groups. The descent of the bladder and cervix on straining was greater in the subjects who delivered vaginally than in the cesarean delivery and nulliparous groups. There was a positive and significant correlation between the duration of labor and the area of the levator sling and also between birth weight and the descent of the cervix on straining. CONCLUSION: The results of this study show that delivery method does not affect pelvic muscle strength.     

Periurethral connective tissue status of postmenopausal women with genital prolapse with and without stress incontinence

OBJECTIVE: Connective tissue consists mainly of collagen and structural glycoproteins and is considered an important factor of the supportive structures of the genitourinary region. Few data have been published as yet with respect to the role of connective tissue in pelvic floor relaxation and genuine stress incontinence (GSI). We compared periurethral connective tissue structures between continent and incontinent postmenopausal women with genital prolapse. METHODS: Twenty-nine women underwent pelvic floor reconstructive surgery (anterior colporrhaphy: n = 29, sacrospinous fixation: n = 12), with biopsies obtained from the periurethral region. Fifteen patients and 14 women were incontinent and continent, respectively. Tissue samples were investigated for localization and distribution of collagen (types I, III, IV, V, VI) and glycoproteins (fibronectin, laminin, vitronectin) using immunofluorescent microscopic techniques. RESULTS: Collagen types I, III, IV, V, and VI were found in all tissue samples. Compared with the continent women, the tissue samples of the incontinent women showed a significantly weaker immunohistochemical staining of type I, III, and VI collagen. No difference in staining patterns of collagen type IV and V, fibronectin, and laminin was observed between the two groups. Intact vitronectin was found in the periurethral tissues of all the continent women, whereas this glycoprotein was either absent or fragmented in the incontinent women. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate an altered metabolism of connective tissue in the periurethral region with a significant decrease of collagen and vitronectin expression in postmenopausal women with pelvic floor relaxation with and without GSI.     

生物反馈电刺激治疗促进女性产后盆底功能恢复的疗效研究

目的:探讨使用生物反馈电刺激治疗对女性产后盆底功能恢复的促进作用。方法:300例产后42 d恶露已经干净的哺乳期妇女,随机分为研究组和对照组各150例。研究组采用盆底康复治疗仪对产妇的盆底肌肉的肌力和肌纤维受损类型进行检测和评估,并进行以生物反馈、电刺激为主的盆底康复治疗,观察并探讨其临床效果。对照组只使用仪器检测并逐一记录,自然恢复,不使用仪器治疗。结果:治疗前盆底肌力分级≤Ⅳ级的259例,占86.3%,治疗1个疗程之后,与对照组相比,治疗组阴道压力、Ⅰ类、Ⅱ类肌纤维肌力等级明显改善(P<0.05)。结论:生物反馈、电刺激为主要治疗方法的盆底康复技术,结合家庭训练,可以有效提高产妇阴道内压力、增强盆底肌强度、提高生活质量。     

Urethral pressure changes in response to squeeze: a population-based study in healthy and incontinent 53- to 63-year-old women

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the urethral pressure pattern during short squeezes in incontinent and healthy women before and after pelvic floor exercise and to correlate the findings with vaginal measurements. STUDY DESIGN: Sixty women with urinary incontinence and 28 healthy control subjects all aged 53 to 63 years were subject to urethral pressure measurements and vaginal palpation, pressure and surface electromyography measurements. Measurements were repeated after 4 months of pelvic floor exercise in the incontinent group. RESULTS: The appearance of the urethral pressure curve during a squeeze on a semiquantitative scale from 0 to 4, in the healthy group, was 2.2+/-0.3 and, in the incontinent group, was 1.5+/-0.2 (P<.0 5), rising to 2.2+/-0.2 after pelvic floor exercise (P<.01). The semiquantitative grading correlated with vaginal measurements. CONCLUSION: The increase of the urethral pressure in response to short squeeze is reduced significantly in incontinent women compared with healthy women of the same age and parity. A normalization was seen after pelvic floor exercise in the incontinent group.     

Differences in estrogen modulation of tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase-1 and matrix metalloproteinase-1 expression in cultured fibroblasts from continent and incontinent women

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of increasing estrogen concentrations on metalloproteinase and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase protein expressions in cultured pelvic fibroblasts that were obtained from continent and incontinent women. STUDY DESIGN: Periurethral vaginal wall tissues were taken from four stress incontinent and three continent premenopausal women who underwent gynecologic surgery for benign indications. Protein was extracted from these tissues, and Western blot analysis was performed to document that fibroblasts from continent and incontinent women differed with respect to metalloproteinase and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase production. One age-matched tissue pair was prepared for fibroblast culture. Cells were cultured with increasing concentrations of estradiol (0-500 pg/mL). Extracellular metalloproteinase and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase were assessed semiquantitatively with Western blotting. RESULTS: Periurethral vaginal tissues from incontinent women expressed less tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase when compared with tissue from the control subjects; there was no difference in the expression of cleaved, active metalloproteinase protein. Tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase expression from fibroblasts of continent women significantly increased with increasing estradiol concentrations (0-100 pg/mL, P <.05). No significant dose response was seen in fibroblasts from an incontinent woman. Metalloproteinase expression was not altered by increasing estradiol concentrations in fibroblasts from either continent or incontinent women. CONCLUSION: This preliminary in vitro study suggested that, in fibroblasts that were derived from the continent woman, tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase protein production increases with increasing estrogen levels and that, in stress incontinent fibroblasts, no similar increase occurs. Neither group demonstrated a change in metalloproteinase production in response to varying estrogen levels, which suggests that estrogen may inhibit collagen degradation in continent women by increasing tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase production but exerts a reduced inhibitory effect on collagenolysis in women with stress urinary incontinence.     

Physiotherapy for persistent postnatal stress urinary incontinence: a randomized controlled trial

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of multimodal supervised physiotherapy programs with the absence of treatment among women with persistent postnatal stress urinary incontinence. METHODS: This was a single-blind randomized controlled trial. Sixty-four women with stress urinary incontinence were randomly assigned to 8 weeks of either multimodal pelvic floor rehabilitation (n = 21), multimodal pelvic floor rehabilitation with abdominal muscle training (n = 23), or control non-pelvic floor rehabilitation (n = 20). The primary outcome measure consisted of a modified 20-minute pad test. The secondary outcome measures included a Visual Analog Scale describing the perceived burden of incontinence, the Urogenital Distress Inventory, the Incontinence Impact Questionnaire, and pelvic floor muscle function measurements. RESULTS: Two patients dropped out, leaving 62 for analysis. At follow-up, more than 70% of the women in the treatment groups (14/20 in the pelvic floor and 17/23 in the pelvic floor plus abdominal group) were continent on pad testing compared with 0% of women in the control group. Scores on the pad test, Visual Analog Scale, Urogenital Distress Inventory, and Incontinence Impact Questionnaire improved significantly in both treatment groups (all P <.002), whereas no changes were observed in the control group. Pelvic floor muscle function, however, did not improve significantly in either active group. CONCLUSION: Multimodal supervised pelvic floor physiotherapy is an effective treatment for persistent postnatal stress urinary incontinence.     

Cystometric urine stream interruption test in women with urodynamic stress incontinence.

Urine stream interruption test (UST) is one of the subjective means of assessing pelvic floor muscle strength. This is done with the belief that most women with stress urinary incontinence cannot interrupt the flow of urine stream due to weak pelvic floor muscles. It is also used by some to monitor pelvic floor muscle strength following treatment. Our study looked at a cohort of 104 women with stress urinary incontinence and to our knowledge, our study is the first to use UST in women who have had their stress urine incontinence confirmed on urodynamics. We found that 87% of those with urodynamic stress incontinence (USI) were able to perform this test (UST). We therefore concluded that UST is a poor index of pelvic floor muscle function in women with USI and cannot be relied upon to monitor success of treatment in these women.     

The effects of uterine fundal pressure (Kristeller maneuver) on pelvic floor function after vaginal delivery

Purpose

To evaluate the role of uterine fundal pressure during the second stage of labor (Kristeller maneuver) on pelvic floor dysfunction (urinary and anal incontinence, genital prolapse, pelvic floor strength).

Methods

522 primiparous women, enrolled 3?months after vaginal delivery, were divided in two groups: group A (297 women) identifies the women who received Kristeller maneuvers with different indications (e.g. fetal distress, failure to progress, mother exhaustion), group B (225 women) the women without maneuver. Participants were questioned about urogynecological symptoms and examined by Q-tip test, digital test, vaginal perineometry and uroflowmetric stop test score.

Results

Mediolateral episiotomies, dyspareunia and perineal pain were significantly higher in Kristeller group, whereas urinary and anal incontinence, genital prolapse and pelvic floor strength were not significantly different between the groups.

Conclusions

Kristeller maneuver does not modify puerperal pelvic floor function but increases the rate of episiotomies.     

The effects of mediolateral episiotomy on pelvic floor function after vaginal delivery

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of mediolateral episiotomy on puerperal pelvic floor strength and dysfunction (urinary and anal incontinence, genital prolapse). METHODS: Five hundred nineteen primiparous women were enrolled 3 months after vaginal delivery. Puerperae were divided in 2 groups: group A (254 women) comprised the women who received mediolateral episiotomy and group B (265 women) the women with intact perineum and first- and second-degree spontaneous perineal lacerations. Each woman was questioned about urogynecological symptoms and examined by digital test, vaginal perineometry, and uroflowmetric stop test score. Data were subjected to Student t test and Fisher exact test to assess, respectively, the difference between the mean values and the proportions within the subpopulations. Using a simple logistic regression model to test an estimate of relative risk, we expressed the odds ratios of the variables considered with respect to the control population (group B). RESULTS: No significant difference was found with regard to the incidence of urinary and anal incontinence and genital prolapse, whereas dyspareunia and perineal pain were significantly higher in the episiotomy group (7.9% versus 3.4%, P =.026; 6.7% versus 2.3%, P =.014, respectively). Episiotomy was associated with significantly lower values, both in digital test (2.2 versus 2.6; P <.001) and in vaginal manometry (12.2 versus 13.8 cm water; P <.001), but not in uroflowmetric stop test. CONCLUSION: Mediolateral episiotomy does not protect against urinary and anal incontinence and genital prolapse and is associated with a lower pelvic floor muscle strength compared with spontaneous perineal lacerations and with more dyspareunia and perineal pain. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: II-2     

The dual influences of age and obstetric history on fecal continence in parous women

Objective

To assess whether women who underwent forceps delivery were more likely than those who delivered either normally (spontaneous vaginal delivery [SVD]) or by cesarean to experience deterioration in fecal continence as they aged.

Methods

The study investigated fecal continence assessment among women who gave birth to their first child 10, 20, or 30 years previously. Women who had undergone forceps delivery in the selected years were matched with women who had SVD in the same year. Two additional cohorts (1 premenopausal, 1 postmenopausal), who had only ever delivered by pre-labor cesarean, were identified for comparison.

Results

Of the 85 women who participated, 36 had undergone forceps delivery, 35 SVD, and 14 cesarean delivery only. The mode of vaginal delivery had no significant effect on continence scores or manometry pressures. Premenopausal women who had undergone cesarean delivery had significantly higher manometry pressures than those who delivered vaginally, but this protective effect was lost after the menopause. Multivariate analysis of pudendal nerve conduction found that the adverse effect of duration since delivery was greater than the adverse effect of forceps compared with vaginal delivery.

Conclusion

Mode of delivery and aging affect pelvic floor function. Women who deliver via cesarean are not immune to age-related deterioration of anal sphincter function.     

产后盆底肌肉训练对改善盆底功能的作用分析

目的评价产后盆底肌肉训练对盆底肌肉张力的影响及对盆底功能的作用。方法选择中山大学附属第二医院2007年1~3月收治的165例住院分娩产后6周的产妇进入研究,随机分成两组。锻炼组81例于产后6周进行1疗程盆底肌肉训练(包括生物反馈及电刺激)。对照组84例进行一般的产后健康教育。两组均于产后3个月进行一般情况问卷及国际尿失禁咨询委员会尿失禁问卷表简表(ICIQ-SF)调查,并进行盆底肌肉张力测定。产后12个月进行问卷调查及盆底肌肉张力测定和POP-Q分度,评价盆底肌肉训练的效果。结果锻炼组产后3个月、产后12个月盆底肌肉张力高于对照组。锻炼组及对照组产后3个月压力性尿失禁发生率分别为2.5%(2/81)和11.9%(10/81),两组比较P<0.05;锻炼组及对照组产后12个月压力性尿失禁发生率分别为3.7%(3/81)和11.9%(10/81),两组比较P<0.05。锻炼组及对照组产后12个月POP-QⅠ度脱垂发生率分别为33.3%(27/81)和48.8%(41/84),两组比较P<0.05。结论产后盆底肌肉训练能提高盆底肌肉张力,降低尿失禁发生率,改善阴道前壁脱垂。     

Volume sonography of the pelvic floor in nulliparous women and after elective cesarean section.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the sonographic appearance of the pelvic floor which has not been stressed by forces of labor or vaginal delivery in pregnant women and after childbirth. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: In a prospective observational study 14 nulliparous women during first trimester pregnancy and 26 primiparous women after elective cesarean were examined within the first week postpartum. The integrity of the internal anal sphincter expressed as the ratio between the anterior and the posterior internal anal sphincter muscle thickness (a/p-ratio), asymmetry of the levator ani muscle and the paraurethral fixation of the lateral vaginal edges at the arcus tendineus were assessed using volume sonography. RESULTS: The a/p-ratio in nulliparous women was significantly higher (p<0.01) than after elective cesarean section. Asymmetry of the levator ani muscle did not differ between both groups but was more frequently in the nulliparous patients with an odds-ratio of 1.16 (CI 0.74-1.82). In both groups of women the paraurethral fixation of the lateral vaginal edges were above the suburethral level of the vagina. CONCLUSIONS: This study gives sonographic features of the pelvic floor in nulliparous women and in primigravidae after elective cesarean section. Data from the post-cesarean group can serve as reference values for further studies evaluating pelvic floor damage after various modi of vaginal delivery.     

Pelvic floor morbidity at 3 years after instrumental delivery and cesarean delivery in the second stage of labor and the impact of a subsequent delivery

OBJECTIVE: To compare pelvic floor symptoms at three years following instrumental delivery and cesarean section in the second stage of labor and to assess the impact of a subsequent delivery. STUDY DESIGN: We conducted a prospective cohort study of 393 women with term, singleton, cephalic pregnancies who required instrumental vaginal delivery in theatre or cesarean section at full dilatation between February 1999 and February 2000. 283 women (72%) returned postal questionnaires at three years. RESULTS: Urinary incontinence at three years post delivery was greater in the instrumental delivery group as compared to the cesarean section group (10.5% vs 2.0%), OR 5.37 (95% CI, 1.7, 27.9). There were no significant differences in ano-rectal or sexual symptoms between the two groups. Pelvic floor symptoms were similar for women delivered by cesarean section after a failed trial of instrumental delivery compared to immediate cesarean section. A subsequent delivery did not increase the risk of pelvic floor symptoms at three years in either group. CONCLUSION: An increased risk of urinary incontinence persists up to three years following instrumental vaginal delivery compared to cesarean section in the second stage of labor. However, pelvic floor symptoms are not exacerbated by a subsequent delivery.     

The impact of pregnancy and vaginal delivery on urinary incontinence

Objective

To identify women who had urinary incontinence (UI) before, during, and after pregnancy, and to determine whether women with symptoms of UI during pregnancy were the same women who had urinary incontinence postpartum.

Methods

All primigravid women who delivered within 1 year (1999) at the Charité Hospital in Berlin received a questionnaire about UI at 5 different time points during pregnancy and the postpartum period.

Results

Of 610 eligible women, 411 (67.4%) completed the questionnaire. The prevalence of urinary incontinence increased significantly in the second half of pregnancy (26.3%, P < 0.001). Although the overall number of women who reported UI within 6 weeks after delivery (28.5%) was almost the same as the number reporting UI in the second half of pregnancy, approximately every second women changed from being continent to incontinent and vice versa.

Conclusion

The group of women who experienced UI postpartum was different from the group that experienced UI before delivery and vice versa. Pregnancy itself may influence pelvic floor function in a different way compared with vaginal delivery.     

Incidence and cause of postpartum urinary stress incontinence.

Urinary leakage was reported in 53.5% of our patients at least once during pregnancy. Multigravidae and women older than 30 were affected more often than primigravidae or women younger than 30. 6.2% of all women, who were continent before pregnancy, developed permanent stress incontinence after vaginal delivery. As a conclusion, it can be said, that vaginal delivery itself predisposes for permanent stress urinary incontinence (SUI). Factors, which increase the trauma to the pelvic floor (tear, no episiotomy, forceps or vacuum extraction), show a higher incidence of postpartum persisting SUI without statistic significance. Labour management with epidural anaesthesia showed a statistically proven lower incidence of postpartum persisting SUI in comparison to the pudendal block.