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Etiology and Pathophysiology

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Female Pelvic Reconstructive Surgery

Abstract

Pelvic prolapse and stress urinary incontinence, common conditions among aging women, account for 400 000 corrective surgical procedures every year.1 Studies of comparative anatomy have found that these pelvic floor disorders are, with few exceptions, unique to bipeds. Among four-legged animals, the abdominal wall provides primary support for the abdominal and pelvic contents. In humans, tendon and fascia replace many muscle groups of the pelvic floor, countering effects of erect posture on the support of the pelvic viscera. Also, the bony structure of the human pelvis is such that the bones themselves impede prolapse.2 This section discusses the specialized mechanisms of pelvic support in women and etiologies of their failure. Future studies to improve understanding of the pathophysiology of incontinence and prolapse are essential to help identify populations at risk and better repair their symptomatic defects.

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Authors
  1. Daniel S. Blander
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  2. Philippe E. Zimmern
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, St. George’s Hospital Medical School, London, UK

    Stuart L. Stanton FRCS, FRCOG, FRANZCOG (Hon)

  2. Department of Urology, Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, Dallas, Texas, USA

    Philippe E. Zimmern MD, FACS

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© 2003 Springer-Verlag London Limited

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Blander, D.S., Zimmern, P.E. (2003). Etiology and Pathophysiology. In: Stanton, S.L., Zimmern, P.E. (eds) Female Pelvic Reconstructive Surgery. Springer, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4471-0659-3_2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4471-0659-3_2

  • Publisher Name: Springer, London

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-85233-362-1

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4471-0659-3

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

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