Conway Cassandra K, White Shelby E, Russell Rachel, Sentilles Claire, Clark-Patterson Gabrielle L, Miller Kristin S, Desrosiers Laurephile, Knoepp Leise R
Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery, Ochsner Clinic Foundation, New Orleans, LA.
Ochsner J. 2020 Winter;20(4):410-418. doi: 10.31486/toj.19.0089.
Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) affects a significant portion of the female population, impacting quality of life and often requiring intervention. The exact cause of prolapse is unknown. We review some of the current research that focuses on defining the elements involved in POP, with a focus on in vitro testing. Treatment for POP, ranging from physical therapy or pessary use to more invasive surgery, has varying success rates. This variation is, in part, because the pathophysiology of pelvic floor support-and thus dysfunction-is incompletely understood, particularly regarding the structural components and biomechanical properties of tissue. However, researchers are working to identify and quantify the structural and functional dysfunction that may lead to the development of this condition. Given the limited understanding of prolapse development, more research is needed to quantify the microstructure of the pelvic organs and pelvic support structures, with and without prolapse. Identifying biomechanical properties in multiaxial configurations will improve our understanding of pelvic tissue support, as well as our ability to establish predictive models and improve clinical treatment strategies.
盆腔器官脱垂（POP）影响着相当一部分女性人群，对生活质量产生影响，且常常需要进行干预。脱垂的确切病因尚不清楚。我们回顾了一些当前聚焦于定义POP相关因素的研究，重点是体外测试。POP的治疗方法多样，从物理治疗或使用子宫托到更具侵入性的手术，成功率各不相同。这种差异部分是因为盆底支持的病理生理学——进而导致功能障碍——尚未被完全理解，尤其是关于组织的结构成分和生物力学特性。然而，研究人员正在努力识别和量化可能导致这种病症发生的结构和功能障碍。鉴于对脱垂发展的了解有限，需要更多研究来量化有或没有脱垂情况下盆腔器官和盆腔支持结构的微观结构。确定多轴配置下的生物力学特性将增进我们对盆腔组织支持的理解，以及建立预测模型和改进临床治疗策略的能力。
