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The Role of Vaginal Smooth Muscle in the Pathogenesis of Pelvic Organ Prolapse

Jallah, Zegbeh (2015) The Role of Vaginal Smooth Muscle in the Pathogenesis of Pelvic Organ Prolapse. Doctoral Dissertation, University of Pittsburgh. (Unpublished)

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Abstract

Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) is a life changing condition affecting over 50% of women aged 50 and older. Women with POP typically suffer from sexual, defecatory and urinary dysfunction, resulting from the decent of their unsupported pelvic organs into the vaginal canal. Over one billion dollars in annual costs are associated with surgery to repair POP. In general, surgical repair strategies merely provide an anatomical repair and fail to address the underlying cause of POP, thus increasing the risk of reoccurrence and complications. Vaginal birth injury (VaBI) has been identified as a major risk factor for POP, and as such, provides an opportunity to better understand how POP develops, in order to provide alternate remedies. To date, the exact mechanism by which vaginal delivery leads to POP remains elusive, as the time lapse between childbirth and POP symptoms (usually 20-30 years) creates multiple confounders that limit the ability to prove causality. Therefore, the goal of this thesis work was to utilize controlled animal models to assess the impact of VaBI on vaginal smooth muscle (VaSM), as a possible mechanism of VaBI in the pathogenesis of POP. In addition, we wish to examine the impact of current surgical mesh repair on VaSM functional outcomes. Specially, this work 1) investigated the impact of a simulated vaginal birth injury on VaSM 2) characterized the impact of a potential loss of smooth muscle function on vaginal biaxial mechanics, and 3) evaluated the ability of surgical mesh, designed to restore the unsupported organs to their anatomical position, on VaSM function. Our findings indicate that vaginal birth injury can cause non-recoverable loss in Vim function, and that a loss of function alters vaginal mechanics, with the potential to compromise support of the pelvic organs. Additionally, the results showed that surgically implanted meshes have mechanical and textile properties that further promote a loss of VaSM function. Ultimately, we hope that these findings motivate the need for more measures to prevent VaSM injury during delivery, and perhaps serve as a guide for the design of de novo meshes aiming to improve VaSM function.


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Details

Item Type: University of Pittsburgh ETD
Status: Unpublished
Creators/Authors:
CreatorsEmailPitt UsernameORCID
Jallah, Zegbehzcj1@pitt.eduZCJ1
ETD Committee:
TitleMemberEmail AddressPitt UsernameORCID
Committee ChairAbramowitch, Steven Dsdast9@pitt.eduSDAST9
Committee MemberMoalli, Pamelamoalpa@mail.magee.edu
Committee MemberWang, James H-C.wanghc@pitt.eduWANGHC
Committee MemberDavidson, Lance Alad43@pitt.eduLAD43
Committee MemberYoshimura, Naokinyos@pitt.eduNYOS
Committee MemberRobertson, Annerbertson@pitt.eduRBERTSON
Date: 28 January 2015
Date Type: Publication
Defense Date: 1 December 2014
Approval Date: 28 January 2015
Submission Date: 26 November 2014
Access Restriction: No restriction; Release the ETD for access worldwide immediately.
Number of Pages: 181
Institution: University of Pittsburgh
Schools and Programs: Swanson School of Engineering > Bioengineering
Degree: PhD - Doctor of Philosophy
Thesis Type: Doctoral Dissertation
Refereed: Yes
Uncontrolled Keywords: Smooth Muscle Pelvic Organ Prolapse Vagina Biomechanics Mechanobiology Jallah Elastin Collagen Biax Mechanical Testing
Date Deposited: 28 Jan 2015 19:25
Last Modified: 15 Nov 2016 14:25
URI: http://d-scholarship.pitt.edu/id/eprint/23670

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