The correlation of urethral mobility and point Aa of the pelvic organ prolapse quantification system before and after surgery

Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2006 Dec;195(6):1841-5. doi: 10.1016/j.ajog.2006.06.064. Epub 2006 Oct 2.

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of the study was to determine the effects of pelvic floor surgery on Q-tip angle and point Aa of the pelvic organ prolapse quantification system.

Study design: A clinical database was used for this retrospective review of Q-tip and prolapse measurements before and after pelvic floor surgery. Subanalyses of isolated bladder neck and prolapse surgeries were also performed. Correlations between Q-tip and point Aa were assessed with Pearson and Spearman coefficients and the Z statistic.

Results: Correlations between Q-tip and point Aa for all 350 women were not significantly different before and after the operation (r = 0.45 vs 0.49; P = .50). Subanalysis of the bladder neck-only group demonstrated similarly fair correlations (r = 0.26 vs 0.31; P = .71; n = 94). The prolapse-only group demonstrated better overall correlation without significant differences before and after the operation (r = 0.78 vs 0.51; P = .10; n = 26).

Conclusion: Point Aa does not reflect bladder neck mobility accurately as measured by the Q-tip angle after surgical restoration of the pelvic anatomy.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Databases, Factual
  • Female
  • Gynecologic Surgical Procedures*
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Pelvic Floor / surgery
  • Postoperative Period
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Urethra / physiopathology*
  • Urinary Bladder / physiopathology
  • Uterine Prolapse / diagnosis
  • Uterine Prolapse / physiopathology*
  • Uterine Prolapse / surgery*