title: Vaginal pressure during daily activities before and after vaginal repair.
abstract: The objective of the study was to measure vaginal pressure during various daily activities in patients before and after vaginal surgery for pelvic organ prolapse, searching data for evidence-based activity guidelines. Vaginal pressure (VP) was studied in 23 patients during activities such as rest, pelvic floor contraction (PFC), coughing, Valsalva, rising from sitting to standing and lifting 2 and 5 kg with four different lifting techniques. VP was measured before, 1-5 days and 4-6 weeks after vaginal repair. Mean VP was four to five times higher during coughing and Valsalva compared to PFC and lifting 2 and 5 kg. Lifting in the walking position created a slightly higher VP compared to other lifting techniques, which did not differ. The VP did not increase when lifting 5 kg compared to 2 kg. Mean VP during coughing and Valsalva were significantly lower 1-5 days after the operation. VP was not related to the type of vaginal repair. The results imply that post-operative counselling should concentrate more on treating chronic cough and constipation than restrictions of moderate physical activities.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Glostrup Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Glostrup, 2600, Denmark. lmou@glostruphosp.kbhamt.dk
authors.forename: Lone
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Mouritsen
authors.forename: Mette
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hulbaek
authors.forename: Søren
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Brostrøm
authors.forename: Jeanette
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bogstad
mesh_terms: D034841:Abdominal Cavity / Q000502:physiology; D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003371:Cough / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011312:Pressure; D014596:Uterine Prolapse / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D014621:Vagina / Q000502:physiology*; D014636:Valsalva Maneuver / Q000502:physiology; D014891:Weight Lifting / Q000502:physiology