Narrative review of the epidemiology, diagnosis and pathophysiology of pelvic organ prolapse

ABSTRACT The exact prevalence of pelvic organ prolapse is difficult to establish. The anatomical changes do not always consist with the severity or the symptoms associated with prolapse. There are many risk factors associated with pelvic organ prolapse and this review aims to identify the epidemiology and pathophysiology while looking at the known risk factors for pelvic organ prolapse. PubMed search involved a number of terms including: epidemiology, risk factors, reoccurrence indicators, management and evaluation. Several risk factors have been associated with pelvic organ prolapse, all contribute to weakening of the pelvic floor connective tissue/collagen, allowing the pelvic organs to prolapse through the vaginal walls. Among the risk factors are genetic background, childbirth and mode of delivery, previous hysterectomy, menopausal state and the ratio between Estrogen receptors. The "Integral theory" of Petros and the "Levels of Support" model of Delancey enable us to locate the defect, diagnose and treat pelvic organ prolapse. The currently available demographic data is not reliable enough to properly estimate the true extent of pelvic organ prolapse in the population. However, standardization of the diagnosis and treatment may significantly improve our ability to estimate the true incidence and prevalence of this condition in the coming years.

Sacrocolpopexia laparoscópica para el tratamiento del prolapso apical: resultados y seguimiento a largo plazo / Laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy for apical prolapse

Objetivos: Evaluar los resultados subjetivos, anatómicos y funcionales a largo plazo de las pacientes sometidas a sacrocolpopexia laparoscópica para manejo de prolapso apical. Métodos: Estudio observacional con pacientes a quienes se les hizo sacrocolpopexia laparoscópica entre febrero de 2006 y diciembre de 2012, en tres centros. El nivel de soporte del piso pélvico se midió mediante la escala de cuantificación del prolapso de órganos pélvicos (POP-Q). Los resultados funcionales se evaluaron mediante un cuestionario de síntomas intestinales, urinarios, sexuales y de molestias físicas. También se estimó la satisfacción global de las pacientes con una escala de uno a diez. Resultados: Se realizó sacrocolpopexia laparoscópica a 68 pacientes, pero el seguimiento fue posible sólo en 24. Ninguna paciente tuvo prolapso apical postoperatorio. El punto C medio del POP-Q fue -6,8 cm. Se observó mejoría importante con respecto a los síntomas subjetivos de prolapso con reducciones significativas en las puntuaciones del cuestionario en el seguimiento postoperatorio. La satisfacción fue en promedio de 9,1. La incontinencia urinaria preoperatoria se resolvió en el 35 por ciento de las que la reportaron, sin necesidad de cirugía de continencia concomitante. No hubo complicaciones a corto plazo. A largo plazo hubo una hernia incisional en el sitio del trocar y una obstrucción intestinal por la malla. Conclusión: La sacrocolpopexia laparoscópica es un tratamiento quirúrgico seguro y eficaz para el prolapso apical post-histerectomía. Proporciona un excelente soporte apical y buen nivel de satisfacción, con una mejoría general de los síntomas de prolapso.

Objective: To evaluate the long-term subjective, anatomical and functional outcomes after laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy for apical prolapse. Methods: An observational study of women undergoing laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy between February 2006 and December 2012 was undertaken, at three centers. Pelvic organ support was assessed objectively using the pelvic organ prolapse quantification scale (POP-Q). Functional outcomes were assessed using a questionnaire of bowel, urinary, sexual and physical discomfort symptoms postoperatively. Also was assessed the overall satisfaction of surgery with a scale of one to ten. Results: During the period of the study, sacrocolpopexy was done in 68 patients, but follow-up was possible only in 24. At a mean follow up of 34 months, all 24 women had stage 0 vault support with point C of the POP-Q score averaging -6.8 cm. Subjective improvements in prolapse symptoms were observed with significant reductions in the questionnaire scores. The satisfaction measured with visual scale averaged 9.1. Fifteen women reported stress urinary incontinence before sacrocolpopexy, and it was resolved in 35 percent without concomitant continence surgery. New onset incontinence was reported in two women. There were no intraoperative and perioperative complications. The long term complications were an incisional hernia on the trocar port site and bowel obstruction caused by the mesh that needed intestinal resection. Conclusions: Laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy is a safe and effective surgical treatment for post-hysterectomy apical prolapse. It provides excellent apical support and good level of satisfaction, with overall improvement in prolapse symptoms.

Prolapso genital / Genital prolapse

O prolapso genital é condição comum. Ocorre por fraqueza ou defeitos nos órgãos pélvicos de suspensão, que são constituídos de ligamentos, e/ou aqueles de sustentação, constituídos por fáscias e músculos. Sua avaliação constitui uma etapa importante do exame ginecológico, devendo, sempre que possível, ser classificado o grau de prolapso por meio de métodos padronizados. Atualmente, a quantificação é realizada por meio do POP-Q, preconizada pela Sociedade Internacional de Continência (ICS). Embora não seja uma afecção fatal, pode determinar sequelas importantes para a saúde da mulher, comprometendo sua qualidade de vida. Seu diagnóstico precoce previne o estágio final da doença. O tratamento pode ser conservador ou cirúrgico, dependendo do grau do prolapso, idade e estado clínico da paciente.

The pelvic prolapse is a common condition. It's occurs because of weakness or defects in the suspension pelvic organs - consisting of ligaments, and/or those of support, which consist of fascias and muscles. It's assessment is an important phase of the gynecological exam and, whenever possible, the degree of prolapse should be identified by means of standard methods. Currently the measurement is performed using POP-Q, as recommended by the International Continence Society (ICS). Although the disease is not considered fatal, it can determine serious sequela for women's health, affecting their quality of life. It's early diagnosis prevents the final stage of the disease. Treatment can be conservative or surgical depending on the degree of prolapse, and the patient age and medical condition.

Efectos del embarazo y el parto sobre el piso pélvico / Effects of pregnancy and childbirth on the pelvic floor

Las disfunciones del piso pélvico comprenden la incontinencia urinaria de esfuerzo, el prolapso de órganos pélvicos y la incontinencia anal. Una de cada diez mujeres tendrá que ser sometida a una intervención quirúrgica por disfunciones del piso pélvico durante su vida. Además, entre el 30 por ciento y el 50 por ciento tendrá una recidiva de estas intervenciones. La maternidad es un factor que contribuye de manera importante en la presentación de estas disfunciones pelvianas. Aún no existe evidencia probada de que el parto vaginal sea un factor completamente decisivo para la presencia de disfunciones del piso pélvico. Existe intensa investigación acerca del embarazo y el parto y sus efectos sobre el piso pélvico, y acerca de si algunas de las acciones obstétricas pueden ser modificadas con el fin de protegerlo de los potenciales daños.

The pelvic floor dysfunctions include urinary incontinence, pelvic organ prolapsed and anal incontinence. One in ten women will be subjected to surgery for pelvic floor dysfunction during their lifetime. In addition, between 30 percent and 50 percent will have a recurrence of these interventions. Motherhood is a factor that contributes significantly to the submission of pelvic dysfunctions. There is still no proven evidence that vaginal delivery is an absolutely crucial factor for the presence of pelvic floor dysfunction. There is extensive research on pregnancy and child birth and their effects on the pelvic floor and if some of the obstetric action scan be modified in order to protect it from potential damage.

Impacto do tratamento do câncer de colo uterino no assoalho pélvico / Impact of treatment of cervical cancer in the pelvic floor

O câncer de colo uterino se apresenta como a segunda neoplasia maligna mais comum entre as mulheres no mundo. Seu tratamento consiste principalmente por histerectomia radical e dissecção dos linfonodos pélvicos, associada à quimioterapia e radioterapia nos estágios mais avançados da doença. Em consequência deste tratamento, podem aparecer as disfunções dos músculos do assoalho pélvico, principalmente por lesão nervosa. Contudo, objetivou-se, nesta revisão, identificar as disfunções do assoalho pélvico após o tratamento do câncer de colo uterino. Realizou-se revisão bibliográfica de estudos publicados de 2000 a 2010 nas bases de dados Medline, PubMed, PEDro, SciELO e Lilacs. Observou-se que sintomas urinários, intestinais e sexuais estão presentes após o tratamento do câncer de colo uterino. Dentre os sintomas urinários, estão presentes a incontinência urinária de esforço, a incontinência urinária mista, sintomas relacionados à hiperatividade da bexiga, ocorrendo a urgeincontinência, o aumento da frequência urinária, a noctúria e a urgência miccional. No que tange aos sintomas sexuais, pode-se observar que dispareunia, vaginismo, diminuição e/ou falta da lubrificação vaginal, excitação e orgasmo também ocorrem após o tratamento do câncer de colo uterino. Como sintomas intestinais, ocorreram a diarreia, a constipação e a incontinência anal. A fisioterapia sabidamente trata essas disfunções, fora do contexto do câncer de colo uterino, com elevadas taxas de sucesso e, por isso, o fisioterapeuta poderia auxiliar na reabilitação após o tratamento do câncer de colo uterino, se fosse inserido na equipe. Assim, torna-se cada vez mais importante a inclusão deste profissional nas equipes multidisciplinares

The cervical cancer appears as the second most common neoplasm malignancy among women worldwide. Its treatment consists mainly on radical hysterectomy and pelvic lymph node dissection, associated with chemotherapy and radiotherapy in advanced stages of the disease. As a result of this treatment, dysfunctions of the pelvic floor muscles, mainly for nerve injury, may appear. However, the purpose was to identify the pelvic floor dysfunctions after treatment of cervical cancer. We conducted a literature review of studies published from 2000 to 2010 in Medline, PubMed, PEDro, SciELO, and Lilacs. It was observed that urinary, bowel, and sexual symptoms are present after treatment of the cervical cancer. Among the urinary symptoms, the following are present: stress urinary incontinence, mixed urinary incontinence, symptoms of overactive bladder, urge-incontinence, increased urinary frequency, nocturia, and urgency. With respect to sexual symptoms, dyspareunia, vaginismus, reduced and/or lack of vaginal lubrication, arousal and orgasm also occur after treatment of cervical cancer. As intestinal symptoms, there were diarrhea, constipation, and anal incontinence. Physical therapy successfully treats these disorders, outside the context of the cervical cancer, with high success rates, and, therefore, the therapist could help in the rehabilitation after treatment of the cervical cancer, if he/she was inserted in the team. Thus, it becomes increasingly important to include this professional in multidisciplinary teams