2025 AUGS Clinical Meeting-Enhancing Recovery: The Critical Role of Urogynecologists After Obstetric Pelvic Floor Trauma

Enhancing Recovery: The Critical Role of Urogynecologists After Obstetric Pelvic Floor Trauma

Video Transcription

Video Summary

The speaker discussed the vital role urogynecologists play in managing obstetric pelvic floor trauma, emphasizing the importance of understanding obstetric lacerations and their common sequelae post-vaginal delivery. Nearly 80% of women experience obstetric lacerations during childbirth, with varying degrees of severity. Pelvic floor disorders can affect over 90% of new mothers within the first year postpartum. Key issues include urinary incontinence, fecal urgency, anal incontinence, and prolapse. The presentation highlighted the importance of education, reassurance, and conservative management, such as pelvic floor muscle exercises, dietary modifications, and the use of pessaries or vaginal estrogen for symptom relief. In severe cases, surgical intervention may be required, especially if symptoms persist beyond six months or if there's significant anatomical compromise. The speaker also touched on wound healing abnormalities, recommending conservative treatments like antibiotics and Manuka honey, and emphasized the need for close follow-up and collaboration with obstetricians. They concluded that recognizing and addressing postpartum pelvic floor issues can greatly improve the quality of life for affected women.

Asset Subtitle

Understand how urogynecologists can play an important part in the care of patients with obstetric trauma; appreciate the common pelvic floor sequalae in this patient population; and recognize basic management principals and the special considerations when surgical management may be required.

Speaker - Lisa Hickman, MD

Keywords

urogynecologists

obstetric pelvic floor trauma

postpartum disorders

urinary incontinence

pelvic floor exercises

surgical intervention

wound healing