Biomedical subjects

A B Steensma

Publications and source records attributed to A B Steensma.

6 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

The prevalence of major abnormalities of the levator ani in urogynaecological patients.

OBJECTIVES: While morphological abnormalities of the pubovisceral muscle have been described on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), their relevance remains unclear. This study was designed to define prevalence and clinical significance of such abnormalities in urogynaecological patients. DESIGN: Prospective observational study. SETTING: Tertiary urogynaecological clinic. POPULATION: Three hundred and thirty-eight consecutive women referred for urodynamic assessment. METHODS: Participants underwent a clinical assessment, multichannel urodynamics and imaging with 3D translabial ultrasound. Blinded offline analysis was performed with the software 4D View (GE Kretztechnik, Zipf, Austria). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Major morphological abnormalities of the pubovisceral muscle. RESULTS: Defects of the pubovisceral muscle were found in 15.4% of parous women. They were exclusively anteromedial (uni- or bilateral), only occurred among women who had delivered vaginally and were associated with anterior and central compartment prolapse (all P<0.001). There was no association with symptoms of bladder dysfunction or urodynamic findings. CONCLUSIONS: Major morphological abnormalities of the pubovisceral muscle are common in parous urogynaecological patients. They are associated with prolapse of the anterior and central compartment, but not with symptoms of bladder dysfunction or urodynamic findings.

Anal Canal↗

PubMed2006

The role of childbirth in the aetiology of rectocele.

OBJECTIVE: Clinically, rectocele is common in parous women and assumed to be due to distension or tearing of the rectovaginal septum in labour. In a prospective study, we examined the prevalence of such defects in primiparae before and after childbearing in order to define the role of childbearing in the aetiology of rectocele. DESIGN: Prospective observational study. SETTING: Tertiary urogynaecological clinic. POPULATION: A total of 68 nulliparous women between 35 + 6 and 40 + 1 weeks of gestation. METHODS: Participants underwent a standardised interview and were assessed by translabial ultrasound. Presence and depth of a rectocele was determined on maximal Valsalva, as was descent of the rectal ampulla. Fifty-two women were reassessed 2-6 months postpartum. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Presence of a true rectocele, rectal descent. RESULTS: True rectoceles were identified in 2 of the 68 women before childbirth and in 8 of the 52 women after childbirth (P = 0.02). After childbirth, the ampulla descended >22 mm further than before (P < 0.0001 on paired t test). Symptoms such as digitation (n = 2), straining at stool (n = 10) and incomplete emptying (n = 11) were not uncommon 2-6 months postpartum; but out of eight rectoceles, four were asymptomatic. CONCLUSIONS: True rectoceles occur in young nulliparae. However, childbirth is associated with an increase in prevalence and size of such defects.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

Posterior compartment prolapse on two-dimensional and three-dimensional pelvic floor ultrasound: the distinction between true rectocele, perineal hypermobility and enterocele.

OBJECTIVES: Posterior compartment descent may encompass perineal hypermobility, isolated enterocele or a 'true' rectocele due to a rectovaginal septal defect. Our objective was to determine the prevalence of these conditions in a urogynecological population. METHODS: One hundred and ninety-eight women were clinically evaluated for prolapse and examined by translabial ultrasound, supine and after voiding, using three-dimensional capable equipment with a 7-4-MHz volume transducer. Downwards displacement of rectocele or rectal ampulla was used to quantify posterior compartment prolapse. A rectovaginal septal defect was seen as a sharp discontinuity in the ventral anorectal muscularis. RESULTS: Clinically, a rectocele was diagnosed in 112 (56%) cases. Rectovaginal septal defects were observed sonographically in 78 (39%) women. There was a highly significant relationship between ultrasound and clinical grading (P < 0.001). Of 112 clinical rectoceles, 63 (56%) cases showed a fascial defect, eight (7%) showed perineal hypermobility without fascial defect, and in three (3%) cases there was an isolated enterocele. In 38 (34%) cases, no sonographic abnormality was detected. Neither position of the ampulla nor presence, width or depth of defects correlated with vaginal parity. In contrast, age showed a weak association with rectal descent (r = -0.212, P = 0.003), the presence of fascial defects (P = 0.002) and their depth (P = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Rectovaginal septal defects are readily identified on translabial ultrasound as a herniation of rectal wall and contents into the vagina. Approximately one-third of clinical rectoceles do not show a sonographic defect, and the presence of a defect is associated with age, not parity.

Adult↗

PubMed2003

Mechanical properties of urogynecologic implant materials.

Synthetic suburethral slings have recently become popular despite the risk of erosion commonly associated with synthetic implants. Some of these materials seem to have unexpectedly low erosion rates. Based on the hypothesis that erosion is due, in part, to biomechanical properties, we undertook an in vitro study. The biomechanical properties of eight non-resorbable synthetic implant materials, stiffness (slope, N/mm) and peak load (N) were determined from load vs. displacement curves. Open-weave Prolene mesh showed unique biomechanical properties compared to other tested materials. The tension- free vaginal tape had the lowest initial stiffness (0.23 N/mm), i.e. low resistance to deformation at forces below the elastic limit, whereas the stiffest implant tested, a nylon tape, reached 6.83 N/mm. We concluded that the TVT and other wide-weave Prolene tapes have unique biomechanical characteristics. These properties may be at least partly responsible for the apparent clinical success of the implants.

Biocompatible Materials↗

PubMed2003

Three-dimensional ultrasound imaging of the pelvic floor: the effect of parturition on paravaginal support structures.

OBJECTIVE: It is assumed that support of the female urethra and bladder is maintained by paraurethral and paravaginal fascial structures, with hypermobility resulting from delivery-related trauma. This study used three-dimensional translabial ultrasound to assess these structures and document peripartal changes. DESIGN: A clinical observational pilot study was performed on 26 nulliparous women recruited in the third trimester of pregnancy. They underwent translabial two- and three-dimensional ultrasound. Twenty-three women were again seen 2-5 months postpartum. The assessor was blinded against two-dimensional ultrasound and delivery data. Vaginal tenting was rated as being present, indeterminate or absent at each of three levels, and was correlated with bladder neck descent (BND) and urethral rotation on Valsalva maneuver. RESULTS: Tenting was visible at all levels in 21 of 26 women antepartally. In three women tenting was absent on one level; in two cases tenting was rated indeterminate. There was no significant difference in BND between women with visible tenting and those without. The BND range for women with intact tenting was 5.4-41.6 mm. Twenty-one of the 26 women were included in the postpartum analysis. Of these, obvious peripartal changes were documented in five. Loss of tenting did not correlate significantly with changes in BND. CONCLUSIONS: Most nulliparous women showed evidence of intact paravaginal support structures. Tenting occurred in women with widely varying BND, implying that excess bladder neck mobility may be due to increased fascial compliance. Postnatally, fascial disruption was suspected in a minority of patients only. In some women delivery-related changes may be due to attenuation rather than disruption of structures.

Adult↗

PubMed2003

Levator function in nulliparous women.

Pelvic floor muscle exercises are one of the main conservative options for the treatment of female urinary incontinence. Despite this widespread use, there is very little information on 'normal' pelvic floor function. In a prospective observational study the authors intended to define the spectrum of normality for pelvic floor function in women, assessing 206 nulliparous women recruited early in their first ongoing pregnancy. Levator function was evaluated using translabial ultrasound: cranioventral displacement of the bladder neck was utilized to quantify levator activity. The presence of a reflex contraction of the external perineal muscles and levator on coughing was registered, as was the strongest of at least three contractions. Only 41 of 206 women (20%) had ever been taught pelvic floor exercises by a health professional, and this had been exclusively verbal. Teaching had no influence on levator strength. Spontaneous contractions on request were obtained in 172 women (85%). Advice was necessary in 96 women (47%) in order to obtain an optimal contraction. Reflex muscle activation on coughing was documented in 118 women (57%) and was associated with a stronger contraction (P<0.001). Reported use of the levator muscle on intercourse was strongly associated with increased levator activity (P<0.001). Motivational factors mentioned were boyfriends, mothers, other female relatives and, most commonly, articles in popular magazines, e.g. Cosmospolitan and Cleo.

Female↗