Pelvic Floor Pressures Differ Based on Location in the Pelvis and Body Position: A Cadaver Mode

Background: The pelvic floor is a bowl-shaped complex of multiple muscles and fascia, which functions to support the pelvic organs, and it aids in controlling continence. In pelvic floor disease, this complex becomes weakened or damaged leading to urinary, fecal incontinence, and pelvic organ prolapse. It is unclear whether the position of the body impacts the forces on the pelvic floor.

Purpose: The primary objective of this work is to measure force applied to the pelvic floor of a cadaver in sitting, standing, supine, and control positions. The secondary objective is to map the forces across the pelvic floor.

Methods: An un-embalmed female cadaver without pelvic floor dysfunction was prepared for pelvic floor pressure measurement using a pressure sensory array placed on top of the pelvic floor, and urodynamic catheters were placed in the hollow of the sacrum, the retropubic space, and at the vaginal apex. Pressure measurements were recorded with the cadaver in the supine position, sitting cushioned without external pelvic floor support, and standing. Pressure array data were analyzed along with imaging of the cadaver. Together, these data were mapped into a three-dimensional reconstruction of the pressure points in pelvic floor and corresponding pelvic organs.

Results: pressures were higher at the symphysis than in the hollow of the sacrum in the standing position. Pressure array measurements were lowest in the standing position and highest in the sitting position. Three-dimensional reconstruction confirmed the location and accuracy of our measurements.

Conclusions: The findings of increased pressures behind the symphysis are in line with the higher incidence of anterior compartment prolapse. Our findings support our hypothesis that the natural shape and orientation of the pelvis in the standing position shields the pelvic floor from downward forces of the viscera.