1) Review the complex anatomy of the female pelvic floor. 2) Understand the effect of childbirth on the muscles, ligaments, and organs of the pelvis. 3) Learn the appropriate use of fluoroscopic procedures, ultrasound, CT and MRI for diagnosis of long-term sequelae of obstetric trauma. 4) Appreciate the pre-operative considerations for treatment of pelvic prolapse and vaginal fistulas.
Anatomy of the female pelvic floor is complex, and divided into three compartments. The anterior compartment contains the urinary bladder and the urethra; the middle compartment contains the uterus, cervix, and vagina; and the posterior compartment contains the rectum. Pregnancy and childbirth, by nature of the process, result in trauma to the tissues and over time lead to weakness of the tissues and pelvic floor dysfunction including stress urinary incontinence, as well as fistula formation between the organs in the three compartments.
Thurmond, A,
Pelvic Floor Dysfunction and Other Postpartum Sequelae. Radiological Society of North America 2014 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, - ,Chicago IL.
http://archive.rsna.org/2014/13010392.html
