Luigi Frigerio

It. J. Gynaec. Obstet. Vol. 1, pag. 20-24. 1989
( in coll. G. Pifarotti, M. Fabrello, S. Garsia, A. Ferrari )
Summary: This study was undertaken to enlarge our knowledge about the pathogenesis of genital prolapse. The Puborectalis muscle was biopsed in 10 menopausal patients during posterior colporrhaphy: in 9, histological-histochemical study revealed a myopathic atrophy secondary to a possible process of denervation. The post-mortem muscle biopsy in 2 control subjects showed a good fiber type differentiation. In all 10 patients with genital prolapse we found a significant descent of the pelvic floor and an abnormal distance between the anal verge and the ischial-tuberosity plane: mean + 1.22 cm (s.d.0.76) at rest and + 2.09 cm (s.d.0.79) straining. For comparison with the study group, measurements were made in 66 control subjects without genital prolapse. Control population show a mean of - 0.84 cm (d.s.0.74) at rest and + 0.44 cm (d.s.0.92) straining (paired Student’s T test = 0.005). Some morphologic and functional considerations of these findings are discussed.