Objective: We describe a new parameter based on magnetic resonance 3-dimensional (3D) reconstructions proposed to evaluate levator ani muscle (LAM) laxity in women with pelvic organ prolapse (POP).
Study design: This is an institutional review board-approved, retrospective chart review of 35 women with POP, stages I-IV. The 3D Slicer software package was used to perform 2-dimensional and 3D measurements and the levator ani subtended volume (LASV) was described. Basically, the LASV represents the volume contained by LAM between 2 planes, which coincides with pubococcygeal line and H line. Correlations among measurements, ordinal POP stages, POP Quantification (POPQ) individual measurements, and validated questionnaires were performed.
Results: The LASV differentiated major (III and IV) from minor (I and II) POPQ stages, which positively correlated to POP stages and POPQ individual measurements.
Conclusion: The LASV is a promising parameter to evaluate the LAM laxity.
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