PATTERNS OF PROLAPSE IN WOMEN WITH SYMPTOMS OF PELVIC FLOOR WEAKNESS - MAGNETIC-RESONANCE-IMAGING AND LAPAROSCOPIC TREATMENT

Magnetic resonance imaging represents a new method of imaging the pelv ic viscera and pelvic floor musculature. Rapid sequences allow us to p erform magnetic resonance imaging dynamically during straining or pelv ic floor contraction, which can elegantly demonstrate the patterns of pelvic floor prolapse. The technique is relatively quick, noninvasive, and does not use ionizing radiation, The principle of the laparoscopi c approach is to imitate the conventional abdominal or vaginal techniq ues. Laparoscopic sacrospinous fixation or sacral colpopexy using a gr aft as well as the laparoscopic repair of enteroceles and rectoceles m ay offer some advantages over the classic approach. As comparative pro spective studies are still missing, the role of laparoscopy in the man agement of pelvic floor defects remains to be defined. (C) 1998 Lippin cott-Raven Publishers.