Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 19, 2026
Quantification of Levator Ani Hiatus Enlargement by Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Males and Females with Pelvic Organ Prolapse
Published on: April 17, 2019
Evaluation of pelvic floor function by transabdominal ultrasound in postpartum women
Mikako Okamoto1, Ryoko Murayama2, Megumi Haruna2
1Department of Midwifery and Women's Health, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo, Tokyo, 113-0033, Japan. mokka-tky@umin.ac.jp.
Purpose:
To investigate the relationship between displacement of the bladder base and genitohiatal distance during voluntary contractions of pelvic floor muscles in postpartum women.
Methods:
Twenty women (age 34.7 ± 4.4 years, BMI 21.1 ± 3.2 kg/m(2)) at about 6 weeks after a vaginal delivery were studied. Displacement of the bladder base and genitohiatal distance were measured by transabdominal and transperineal ultrasound, respectively.
Results:
Displacement of the bladder base was significantly correlated with shortening of genitohiatal distance (r = 0.772, p < 0.001). The intraclass correlation coefficient of the three measurements in each woman was 0.796 for displacement of the bladder base. There was no significant difference in terms of displacement of the bladder base between continent women and incontinent women.
Conclusion:
This study suggests a strong positive correlation between displacement of the bladder base and shortening of genitohiatal distance during voluntary contractions of pelvic floor muscles in postpartum women. Measurement of displacement of the bladder base by transabdominal ultrasound can be helpful for evaluating pelvic floor function in postpartum women.
Related Concept Videos
01:24Imaging Studies II: Ultrasonography
01:20Ultrasound I: Abdominal Ultrasonography
Abdominal ultrasonography, commonly known as abdominal ultrasound, is a vital, non-invasive medical imaging technique widely used in healthcare.
Procedure:
This diagnostic tool allows the clinician to visually inspect internal structures within the abdomen, including vital organs such as the liver, gallbladder, pancreas, kidneys, and spleen.
The abdominal ultrasound process begins with applying a special gel to the patient's skin over the abdomen. This gel enhances the...
01:26Muscles of the Pelvic Floor and Perineum
Perineal Layer
The perineum is a diamond-shaped area below the pelvic diaphragm, divided into an anterior urogenital triangle that contains the external genitals and a posterior anal triangle housing the anus. The urogenital...
01:18Assessment of the Abdomen II: Percussion
Percussion
Percussion is an essential...
01:19Urodynamic Studies: Uroflowmetry
01:22Imaging Studies VI: Voiding Cystourethrography and Cystography