[Impact of obstetric lesions of the levator ani on anal continence]. / Impact des lésions obstétricales du levator ani sur la continence anale.

INTRODUCTION: Vaginal delivery induces avulsion type muscle lesions and minor stretching of the levator ani muscle (LAM). Sharing the same risk factors as obstetric anal sphincter injury (OASIS), they can be concomitant. OASIS are the first risk factor for anal incontinence (AI) in women. The role of levatorian lesions in the genesis of AI is controversial. OBJECTIVE: This is a systematic review without meta-analysis aimed at clarifying the impact of LA lesions on anal continence. METHOD: According to PRISMA recommendations, carrying out a bibliographic search (2000-2022) on PubMed with the keywords: "levator ani" "anal incontinence" "obstetric trauma" and on Science Direct with the keywords "levator ani", "avulsion", "anal incontinence". One hundred and eighty articles were identified, 16 were selected.. The level of evidence was determined using the Newcastle Ottawa Scale. RESULTS: According to the different authors, the prevalence of avulsion varied from 15% to 32.2% among women who gave birth vaginally, women with LA lesions presented more LOSA (29.4% to 37.5% of patients with OASIS also had an LA lesion). For AI, LA avulsions are not an independent risk factor but are, in the presence of OASIS, an aggravating factor (OR, 23.3, 95% CI, 2.0-267.6). Double lesions would be at greater risk of long-term AI (P<0.001). CONCLUSION: LA lesions are not an independent factor of AI, although their prevalence is higher in the population of anal incontinent women; they are more frequent in women with OASIS and in this population, they are an aggravating factor for AI and a risk factor for long-term AI.

[Knowledge of pelvic floor disorders in peripartum women: A systematic review]. / Troubles pelvipérinéaux de la période périnatale : état des connaissances des femmes, une revue systématique.

BACKGROUND: Pregnancy and postpartum are periods of life during which pelvic floor disorders (PFD) can occur. PURPOSE: The aim of this review is to make an inventory of what women in the perinatal period know about PFD, their risk factors and preventive measures. DOCUMENTARY SOURCES: We performed a systematic review of the literature in PubMed, Cochrane Library, LISSA and Kinédoc databases by using the keywords "knowledge", "awareness", "beliefs", "pelvic floor", "postpartum" and "pregnancy". We included studies written in English or French, assessing women's knowledge using a questionnaire and published up to May 2020 with no restriction on start date. SELECTION OF STUDIES: A total of 14 cross-sectional studies were selected from 240 studies, with a sample size of 3950 participants. RESULTS: The topics covered in the questionnaires were anatomy, pelvic floor function, all PFD, risk factors and preventive measures. Overall, women's knowledge of the perinatal period is limited. It has also been shown that education of women on risk factors and preventive measures regarding the occurrence of PFD was incomplete. CONCLUSION: To conclude, the knowledge of women in the perinatal period about PFD is limited.

[An International Urogynecological Association (IUGA)/International Continence Society (ICS) joint report on the terminology for the conservative and non-pharmacological management of female pelvic floor dysfunction]. / Traduction française de la terminologie commune de l'International Urogynecological Association (IUGA) et de l'International Continence Society (ICS) relative à la prise en charge conservatrice et non pharmacologique des troubles pelvi-périnéaux de la femme.

INTRODUCTION: There has been an increasing need for the terminology for the conservative management of female pelvic floor dysfunction to be collated in a clinically-based consensus report. METHODS: This report combines the input of members and elected nominees of the Standardization and Terminology Committees of two International Organizations, the International Urogynecological Association (IUGA) and the International Continence Society (ICS), assisted at intervals by many external referees. An extensive process of nine rounds of internal and external review was developed to exhaustively examine each definition, with decision-making by collective opinion (consensus). Before opening up for comments on the webpages of ICS and IUGA, five experts from physiotherapy, neurology, urology, urogynecology and nursing were invited to comment on the paper. RESULTS: A terminology report for the conservative management of female pelvic floor dysfunction, encompassing over 200 separate definitions, has been developed. It is clinically-based with the most common symptoms, signs, assessments, diagnoses and treatments defined. Clarity and user-friendliness have been key aims to make it interpretable by practitioners and trainees in all the different specialty groups involved in female pelvic floor dysfunction. Ongoing review is not only anticipated but will be required to keep the document updated and as widely acceptable as possible. CONCLUSION: A consensus-based terminology report for the conservative management of female pelvic floor dysfunction has been produced aimed at being a significant aid to clinical practice and a stimulus for research.

[Prevalence and impact on quality of life of urinary incontinence in an adult population with chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases, literature review]. / Prévalence et retentissement sur la qualité de vie de l'incontinence urinaire dans une population adulte atteinte de troubles ventilatoires obstructifs, revue de littérature.

INTRODUCTION: Patients with obstructive lung diseases (OLD) are at-risk population for urinary incontinence (UI) with high frequency of increased intra-abdominal pressure because of chronic cough symptoms. AIM OF THE STUDY: This review is aimed at determining the prevalence of UI and its impact on quality of life, patient healthcare research, diagnosis and treatment of UI among this population. MATERIALS AND METHOD: Literature review from January 2001 to 2018 on Medline (PubMed) using keywords urinary incontinence, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, cystic fibrosis, quality of life. RESULTS: The largest study showed that in a population of 14,828 people, whose 995 were diagnosed COPD, UI prevalence was 34.9% in people with COPD, versus 27.3% among the general population of the study (P=0.0048). Results in the other studies of the review were similar. UI was more severe in OLD patients and occurred on young subjects. Stress urinary incontinence symptoms were predominant, during cough but also during spirometry and chest rehabilitation sessions. Despite an impact on quality of life and treatment of OLD, UI was neglected. CONCLUSION: UI prevalence seemed higher on population with OLD, to a greater degree of severity. Quality of life self-evaluation was further decreased when UI was associated with pulmonary disease.

[French translation of "An International Urogynecological Association (IUGA)/International Continence Society (ICS) joint report on the terminology for female pelvic floor dysfunction" published in Int Urogynecol J 2010;21(1):5-26]. / Traduction française de la terminologie commune International Urogynecological Association (IUGA)/International Continence Society (ICS) sur les troubles de la statique pelvienne chez la femme initialement publiée dans Int Urogynecol J 2010;21(1):5-26.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: Given its increasing complexity, the terminology for female pelvic floor disorders needs to be updated in addition to existing terminology of the lower urinary tract. To do this, it seems preferable to adopt a female-specific approach and build on a consensus based on clinical practice. METHODOLOGY: This paper summarizes the work of the standardization and terminology committees of two international scientific societies, namely the International Urogynecological Association (IUGA) and the International Continence Society (ICS). These committees were assisted by many external expert referees. A ranking into relevant major clinical categories and sub-categories was developed in order to allocate an alphanumeric code to each definition. An extensive process of 15 internal and external reviews was set up to study each definition in detail, with decisions taken collectively (consensus). RESULTS: Terminology was developed for female pelvic floor disorders, bringing together more than 250 definitions. It is clinically based and the six most common diagnoses are defined. The emphasis was placed on clarity and user-friendliness to make this terminology accessible to practitioners and trainees in all the specialties involved in female pelvic floor disorders. Imaging investigations (ultrasound, radiology, MRI) exclusively for women have been added to the text, relevant figures have also been included to complete the text and help clarify the meaning. Regular reviews are planned and are also required to keep the document up-to-date and as widely acceptable as possible. CONCLUSIONS: The work conducted led to the development of a consensual terminology of female pelvic floor disorders. This document has been designed to provide substantial assistance in clinical practice and research. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4.

[Levator ani trauma after childbirth, from stretch injury to avulsion: review of the literature]. / Traumatismes du levator ani après l'accouchement, de l'étirement à l'avulsion : revue de la littérature.

OBJECTIVE: Pelvic floor injuries as avulsion (disruption of the muscle) or overdistension were identified in 15 to 35% of deliveries. Our objective is to clarify the consequences of these muscles trauma on pelvic floor symptoms, pelvic organ prolapse and the management of postnatal assessment of pelvic floor function. METHOD: The literature search was conducted over a period from 2000 to January 2013 using the PubMed database and the following keywords: levator ani, ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging, pelvic floor, obstetric trauma, pelvic organ prolapse, incontinence, delivery, avulsion. Seventy-four articles were identified, 43 were selected. The level of evidence was determined using the Oxford table. RESULTS: The instrumental extraction was found as the main risk factor with a prevalence of avulsions from 35% (NP3) to 72% (NP3) and an odd-ratio of 3.4 (NP3). Whatever the mode of assessment, the strength of the pelvic floor was reduced in 100% of cases of avulsion. Avulsions were diagnosed clinically and could be confirmed by ultrasound or MRI (correlation palpation imaging/k=0.497 (NP2) to 86% (NP3). An association was found with the risk of genital prolapse (odd-ratio from 2 [NP4] to 7 for prolapse grade 1 [NP4]) and fecal incontinence (16% [NP3] to 72% [NP4] with an odd-ratio of 14 [NP4]). CONCLUSION: This review has shown that obstetric muscle avulsions had an impact on pelvic organ prolapse and anal continence. The mode of the pelvic floor muscle postnatal assessment remains to be defined.

[Pelvic floor rehabilitation for female urinary incontinence: mechanisms of action]. / Mécanismes d'action de la rééducation périnéale pour l'incontinence urinaire de la femme.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the proven mechanisms of action of pelvic rehabilitation in women presenting with urinary incontinence. METHODS: Review of literature (PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Database) using following keywords: female; urinary incontinence; overactive bladder syndrome; stress urinary incontinence; bladder training; bladder diary; pelvic floor muscle training; pelvic floor rehabilitation; physiotherapy; cognitive therapies. Among 2906 articles (animal and anatomical studies have been excluded); 66 have been selected because they focused on the evaluation of the pathophysiological mechanisms of pelvic floor rehabilitation concerning female urinary incontinence. RESULTS: Studies on pelvic floor muscles training exercises showed a significant increase in the force of contraction of these muscles and it was correlated with improved scores of urinary incontinence and pad test (coefficient of correlation r ranged from 0.23 to 0.34) for women presenting with stress urinary incontinence. These studies have not observed an increase in the maximum urethral closure pressure (MUCP) or correction of urethral hypermobility related with the improvement of incontinence after rehabilitation sessions. Studies concerning pelvic floor stimulation observed an increase in the force of contraction of pelvic floor muscles after rehabilitation and a decrease in the intensity of detrusor contractions without changing the MUCP. There is very little data on the precise mechanisms of action of biofeedback and cognitive behavioral therapy. CONCLUSION: In studies that objectively evaluated the mechanisms of action of pelvic rehabilitation, it was observed that pelvic floor muscles voluntary exercises and electrostimulation resulted an increase in force of contraction of these muscles without changing the MUCP.

[Postpartum pelvic floor muscle training and abdominal rehabilitation: Guidelines]. / Rééducation périnéale et abdominale dans le post-partum: recommandations.

OBJECTIVE: Provide guidelines for clinical practice concerning postpartum rehabilitation. METHODS: Systematically review of the literature concerning postpartum pelvic floor muscle training and abdominal rehabilitation. RESULTS: Pelvic-floor rehabilitation using pelvic floor muscle contraction exercises is recommended to treat persistent urinary incontinence at 3 months postpartum (grade A), regardless of the type of incontinence. At least 3 guided sessions with a therapist is recommended, associated with pelvic floor muscle exercises at home. This postpartum rehabilitation improves short-term urinary incontinence (1 year) but not long-term (6-12 years). Early pelvic-floor rehabilitation (within 2 months following childbirth) is not recommended (grade C). Postpartum pelvic-floor rehabilitation in women presenting with anal incontinence, is associated with a lower prevalence of anal incontinence symptoms in short-term (1 year) (EL3) but not long-term (6 and 12) (EL3). Postpartum pelvic-floor rehabilitation is recommended to treat anal incontinence (grade C) but results are not maintained in medium or long term. No randomized trials have evaluated the pelvic-floor rehabilitation in asymptomatic women in order to prevent urinary or anal incontinence in medium or long term. It is therefore not recommended (expert consensus). Rehabilitation supervised by a therapist (physiotherapist or midwife) is not associated with better results than simple advice for voluntary contraction of the pelvic floor muscles to prevent/correct, in short term (6 months), a persistent prolapse 6 weeks postpartum (EL2), whether or not with a levator ani avulsion (EL3). Postpartum pelvic-floor rehabilitation is not associated with a decrease in the prevalence of dyspareunia at 1-year follow-up (EL3). Postpartum pelvic-floor rehabilitation guided by a therapist is therefore not recommended to treat or prevent prolapse (grade C) or dyspareunia (grade C). No randomized trials have evaluated the effect of pelvic floor muscle training after an episode of postpartum urinary retention or bladder outlet obstruction symptoms, or for the primary prevention of anal incontinence following third-degree anal sphincter tear or in patients presenting with anal incontinence after third-degree anal sphincter tear. The electrostimulation devices used alone were not assessed in this postpartum context (regardless of symptoms); therefore, isolated pelvic floor electrostimulation is not recommended (expert consensus). CONCLUSION: Pelvic floor muscle therapy is recommended for persistent postpartum urinary (grade A) or anal (grade C) incontinence (3 months after delivery).