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Impact of delivery mode on electromyographic activity of pelvic floor: Comparative prospective study
Author(s) -
Botelho Simone,
Riccetto Cássio,
Herrmann Viviane,
Pereira Larissa Carvalho,
Amorim César,
Palma Paulo
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
neurourology and urodynamics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.918
H-Index - 90
eISSN - 1520-6777
pISSN - 0733-2467
DOI - 10.1002/nau.20864
Subject(s) - medicine , vaginal delivery , pelvic floor , electromyography , contractility , pregnancy , pelvic floor dysfunction , elective cesarean section , pelvic floor muscle , obstetrics , genitourinary system , surgery , physical medicine and rehabilitation , genetics , biology
Aims Several studies evidenced the association between pregnancy, mode of delivery and genitourinary symptoms. However, there are still controversies about the role of mode of delivery in the prevention or aggravation of these symptoms. This study aimed to compare the impact of three distinct modes of delivery on pelvic floor muscle contractility. Methods Seventy‐five primiparous women were divided into three groups: (1) vaginal delivery with mediolateral episiotomy (n = 28); (2) elective cesarean section (n = 26); (3) emergency cesarean section (n = 21). All patients underwent vaginal digital examination, grading the muscle contractility from 0 to 5 and surface electromyography (EMG) of the pelvic floor during the last trimester of pregnancy and 45 days after delivery. Results There was a significant increase in pelvic floor contractility in the elective cesarean section group, from 2.35 to 2.92 ( P = 0.03), when compared to the vaginal delivery and emergency cesarean section groups. Analysis of electromyography data showed a significant reduction in maximum contraction of the pelvic floor after vaginal delivery, from 39.17 to 31.14 µV ( P = 0.001), which was not observed in both cesarean section groups. Conclusion Vaginal delivery was associated with a decrease in pelvic floor muscle strength and endurance 45 days after delivery when compared to elective cesarean section as well as emergency cesarean section. Neurourol. Urodynam. 29:1258–1261, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.