{
    "abstract": "To analyze which factors, including gynecological surgery in particular, contribute to the occurrence of pelvic relaxation.\nA retrospective analysis of 711 consecutive patients treated surgically for pelvic relaxation from 1983 to 1989 at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of Turku University Central Hospital was undertaken.\nThe patients who underwent surgery for recurrent pelvic relaxation were significantly older (66.8 vs. 62.1 years) and suffered significantly less (20% vs. 41%) from urinary stress incontinence than patients undergoing primary surgery for pelvic relaxation. Anterior vaginal segment relaxation (i.e. cysto- and urethrocele) was common in patients undergoing the initial operation (n = 684), and posterior vaginal segment relaxation (i.e. rectocele and perineal laceration) in recurrent operations (n = 58). Of the patients studied, 87 had pelvic relaxation, which had developed after partial (n = 46), total abdominal (n = 16) or vaginal (n = 25) hysterectomy.\nCare must be taken in the treatment of the posterior vaginal segment during the initial operation for pelvic relaxation in order to avoid late sequelae. Moreover, when the removal of the uterus is planned, the matter of a stable vaginal vault must be taken into account especially when partial hysterectomy should be performed.",
    "authors": [
        {
            "affiliation": "Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Central Hospital of Turku, Finland.",
            "firstname": "H S",
            "initials": "HS",
            "lastname": "Virtanen"
        },
        {
            "affiliation": null,
            "firstname": "J I",
            "initials": "JI",
            "lastname": "M\u00e4kinen"
        }
    ],
    "conclusions": "Care must be taken in the treatment of the posterior vaginal segment during the initial operation for pelvic relaxation in order to avoid late sequelae. Moreover, when the removal of the uterus is planned, the matter of a stable vaginal vault must be taken into account especially when partial hysterectomy should be performed.",
    "copyrights": null,
    "doi": "10.1016/0020-7292(93)90622-4",
    "journal": "International journal of gynaecology and obstetrics: the official organ of the International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics",
    "keywords": [],
    "methods": "A retrospective analysis of 711 consecutive patients treated surgically for pelvic relaxation from 1983 to 1989 at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of Turku University Central Hospital was undertaken.",
    "publication_date": "1993-08-01",
    "pubmed_id": "7901057",
    "results": null,
    "title": "Retrospective analysis of 711 patients operated on for pelvic relaxation in 1983-1989.",
    "xml": "<Element 'PubmedArticle' at 0x788505c51990>"
}