[History of pelvic prolapse]. / L'histoire de prolapsus pelviens.

The history of pelvic prolapse back to the era of the pharaohs, about 1500 years before Christ. Hippocrates practiced succussion. Grenades, pieces of soaked linen were used as pessaries.Over the centuries, the eolution in understanding of this female pathology led to different treatment modalities, some of which we can currently seem strange.

Surgery for pelvic organ prolapse: a historical perspective.

Surgical treatment of pelvic organ prolapse has evolved from the use of pomegranates as pessary devices to contemporary robot-assisted laparoscopic sacral colpopexy. Symptomatic pelvic organ prolapse requires correction of all the defects to achieve optimal outcomes. Factors to consider in selecting the appropriate repair include patient's age; stage of prolapse; vaginal length; hormonal status; desire for uterine preservation and coitus; symptoms of sexual, urinary, or bowel dysfunction; and any comorbidities that influence her eligibility for anesthesia or chronically increase intra-abdominal pressure. There is currently no consensus as to the best surgical approach for advanced pelvic organ prolapse. Reconstructive surgery for pelvic organ prolapse is currently performed by vaginal or abdominal (open, laparoscopic, and robotic approaches) approaches or a combination. It is important to maintain skills in proven procedures such as abdominal sacrocolpopexy and sacrospinous ligament suspension. This paper discusses the historical evolution of surgery for pelvic organ prolapse from antiquity to date.

[Hodge and his planes]. / Hodge en zijn vlakken.

Hugh Lenox Hodge (1796-1873) was professor of obstetrics at the University of Pennsylvania for more than 25 years. He divided the birth canal into four virtual and parallel planes through pelvic protuberances, a method still widely used. He also developed a pessary that is now mainly used in stress incontinence.

A historical perspective on cystocele repair--from honey to pessaries to anterior colporrhaphy: lessons from the past.

PURPOSE: Ancient reports of the treatment of anterior vaginal wall prolapse (cystocele) include the use of honey, astringents and even turning the woman upside down. Various objects were inserted into the vagina to correct this condition. These have since evolved to modern day pessaries. There is limited information on the historical surgical management of cystocele. In this review we provide a historical perspective on the treatment of cystocele. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A MEDLINE search was conducted using the words prolapse, cystocele, etiology, anatomy, pathophysiology, classification systems and the modifications in the nonsurgical and surgical techniques involved in cystocele repair. RESULTS: Development of pelvic surgery finds its roots in the Ebers papyrus (1550 BC) and evolved from Hippocrates (400 BC) who used pessaries with pomegranate to reduce uterine prolapse. Other maneuvers were also used. Vesalius was the first to provide a detailed description of the entire female genital tract. Adolf Retzius defined the boundaries of the prevesical space in 1849. The current concepts regarding the etiology of cystocele were proposed in 1912. Modern pelvic organ surgeons have modified these concepts to popularize new surgical approaches to this ancient clinical problem. CONCLUSIONS: These contributions provide a sound basis for future surgical developments.

The history and evolution of pessaries for pelvic organ prolapse.

The use of pessaries for the treatment of genital prolapse dates back prior to the days of Hippocrates and their use has been documented in early Egyptian papyruses. Throughout the centuries remedies such as honey, hot oil, wine and fumes have been used as treatment. Mechanical methods included succussion and leg binding. Pomegranates were also common remedies. In the middle ages, linen and cotton wool soaked in many different potions were used. As new materials were discovered, pessaries evolved and began to resemble those used today. Cork and brass were soon replaced with rubber. Modern day pessaries are made of non-reactive silicone and come in various designs and sizes to suit each individual. Pessaries can be used as an interim measure for women who wish to complete childbearing or women awaiting surgery. It can also be used as a permanent measure for women who are unsuitable for surgery. It remains to be established whether the use of modern pessaries over prolonged periods of time can prevent progression of or even cure, prolapse.

A historical review of selected nursing and medical literature on urinary incontinence between 1850 and 1976.

The nursing and medical literature on urinary incontinence from 1850 to 1976 was reviewed to provide a historic perspective on care patterns before the current surge in interest in this common condition. Relevant nursing and medical journals and a number of textbooks from both fields were systematically examined to document the evolution of treatments and practices regarding urinary incontinence. Throughout the article, findings are examined in light of the broader historical context to reveal how and why practices were favored or disfavored at given times during the years under investigation. As expected, attitudes, values, and practices in the field reflected the state of knowledge and beliefs commonly held by nurses, physicians, and the general population.