E-Posters-10188

10188_Sheng

Pdf Summary

This study aimed to investigate the effect of levator ani tear on the ability to increase urethral closure pressure (KUCP) in women within the first year post-vaginal birth. The researchers evaluated 56 primiparas at around 8 months postpartum. Urethral closure pressure was measured at rest (MUCP) and during a pelvic floor muscle contraction. Levator ani tear was evaluated using MRI.<br /><br />The results showed that women with levator ani tear had reduced ability to increase KUCP compared to those without tear. This suggests that women with levator ani tear may have a reduced ability to compensate for the known age-related loss of urethral closure pressure over time. In other words, childbirth with levator ani tear may explain the reduced ability to maintain continence as women age.<br /><br />The study also found that levator ani tear was significantly associated with KUCP after adjusting for resting MUCP. This means that levator ani tear decreases the mean KUCP by an average of 21 cm H2O pressure when controlling for resting MUCP.<br /><br />The findings of this study suggest that women with levator ani tear are less able to increase urethral closure pressure through a volitional pelvic muscle contraction. This highlights the importance of considering levator ani tear in postpartum women at high risk for developing incontinence.<br /><br />The study was supported by the National Institute of Child Health and Development and the NIH Office of Research on Women's Health. The findings contribute to a better understanding of the impact of levator ani tear on urethral closure pressure and may have implications for the management of postpartum women at risk for incontinence.

Keywords

levator ani tear

urethral closure pressure

vaginal birth

primiparas

postpartum

MRI

continence

age-related loss

pelvic floor muscle contraction

incontinence risk