title: Histology of the vaginal wall in women with pelvic organ prolapse: a literature review.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The pathophysiology of pelvic organ prolapse (POP) is incompletely understood. The purpose of this study is to describe the current knowledge about histology of the vaginal wall and its possible involvement in the pathogenesis of pelvic organ prolapse.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eligible studies were selected through a MEDLINE search covering January 1986 to December 2012. The research was limited to English-language publications.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Investigations of changes in the vaginal tissue that occur in women with genital prolapse are currently still limited and produced contrary results. The heterogeneity of the patients and the control groups in terms of age, parity and hormonal status, of the localization of biopsies and the histological methods as well as the lack of validation of the quantification procedures do not allow clear and definitive conclusions to be drawn.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This review shows that current knowledge of the histological changes observed in women with POP are inconclusive and relatively limited. More studies are needed in this specific field to better understand the mechanisms that lead to POP.
authors: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, CHR La Citadelle, Boulevard du 12e de ligne, n°1, 4000, Liège, Belgium, ldelandsheere@chu.ulg.ac.be.
authors: Laurent
authors: L
authors: De Landsheere
authors: Carine
authors: C
authors: Munaut
authors: Betty
authors: B
authors: Nusgens
authors: Catherine
authors: C
authors: Maillard
authors: Chrystèle
authors: C
authors: Rubod
authors: Michelle
authors: M
authors: Nisolle
authors: Michel
authors: M
authors: Cosson
authors: Jean-Michel
authors: JM
authors: Foidart
mesh_terms: D003094:Collagen / Q000378:metabolism; D003238:Connective Tissue / Q000378:metabolism; D004549:Elastin / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D056887:Pelvic Organ Prolapse / Q000473:pathology*; D014621:Vagina / Q000098:blood supply / Q000294:innervation / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*
chemical_list: D003094:Collagen; D004549:Elastin
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