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Is cesarean section a real panacea to prevent pelvic organ disorders?

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Abstract

Introduction and hypothesis

The aim of this study is to compare the pelvic floor muscle strength after vaginal delivery vs. after cesarean section.

Methods

Five groups of 50 cases each were designated as follows: nullipara (control group), spontaneous vaginal delivery (SVD), repeat SVD (SVD-R), cesarean section (CS), and repeat CS (CS-R). Perineometric measurements, stress urinary incontinence (SUI) symptoms, pelvic organ prolapse quantification examinations, and Incontinence-Specific Quality of Life Questionnaire (IQOL) were evaluated.

Results

In all delivery groups, pelvic muscle strength was significantly lower than the control group (65.10 ± 15.69, 56.29 ± 17.39, 54.28 ± 20.08, 56.82 ± 17.62, and 57.92 ± 16.45 (cm H2O± SD) for the control, SVD, SVD-R, CS, and CS-R groups, respectively; p < 0.05). However, no significant difference was found among the delivery groups. There were significant differences in SUI symptoms between the control (2%) and SVD-R (26%) groups and between the SVD (10%) and SVD-R groups (p < 0.001 and p = 0.037, respectively). No statistically significant correlations between IQOL and perineometric measurements were noted (r = 0.097 and p = 0.598).

Conclusions

Pregnancy increases postpartum muscle weakness independent of the mode of delivery. Increased SUI symptoms are associated with vaginal delivery.

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Acknowledgments

The authors wish to thank Salih Ergocen, M.Sc. (Department of Biostatistics—Ankara University School of Medicine) for his contribution to the statistical analysis section of this study and Scribendi for their professional editing service. This research has been supported by Scientific Research Projects Unit of AIBU.

Conflicts of interest

None.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Abant Izzet Baysal University, 14280, Golkoy, Bolu, Turkey

    Onder Koc & Bulent Duran

  2. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Simav City Hospital, Kütahya, Turkey

    Safak Ozdemırcı

  3. School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation, Abant Izzet Baysal University, Golkoy, Bolu, Turkey

    Yesim Bakar & Nuriye Ozengin

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  1. Onder Koc
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  2. Bulent Duran
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  3. Safak Ozdemırcı
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Correspondence to Onder Koc.

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Koc, O., Duran, B., Ozdemırcı, S. et al. Is cesarean section a real panacea to prevent pelvic organ disorders?. Int Urogynecol J 22, 1135–1141 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00192-011-1457-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00192-011-1457-5

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