OC18.07: Vaginal elasticity is significantly decreased in postpartum vaginal prolapse: a strain elastography study

Strain elastography is a novel method for assessing tissue elasticity. We aimed to evaluate the value of vaginal strain elastography in women with anterior and/or posterior vaginal compartment prolapse six weeks postpartum. Women with or without anterior or posterior vaginal prolapse were included in this cross-sectional study at six weeks after vaginal delivery. Participants underwent a detailed vaginal examination with an assessment of POP-Q. Prolapse was defined as Ba and/or Bp ≥ -1. Elastography parameters of the vaginal walls were measured in nine regions of interest (ROI). The Elastography Index (EI) was defined by the average colour score of nine ROIs. Groups were compared with unpaired t-test or Mann-Whitney U test. 24 women were diagnosed with anterior and/or posterior vaginal wall prolapse, and 27 had no signs of prolapse six weeks postpartum. The two groups had no significant differences in age (years, mean ± SD, 29 ± 3 vs. 28 ± 3, NS), BMI (mean ± SD, 26.8 ± 3.7 vs. 28.6 ± 4.0, NS), and birthweight (Gramm, mean ± SD, 3273 ± 417 vs. 3422 ± 400, NS). EI was significantly lower in the prolapse group than in the non-prolapse group (mean ± SD, 27 ± 17 vs. 38 ± 18, p < 0.05). Vaginal elasticity is significantly decreased in women with vaginal prolapse, measured by elastography index six weeks postpartum. Our results suggest that strain elastography may be a valuable tool in the assessment of vaginal prolapse postpartum and pave the way for further studies investigating the role of vaginal wall elastography in predicting postpartum prolapse.