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| 3D tomographic ultrasound imaging of the levator hiatus in late pregnancy and correlations with delivery outcomes |
| WANG Yue, CHEN Yun, SHE Ying, ZHANG Yan, QU Xia, ZHANG Di-rong |
| Department of Ultrasonography, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen Guangdong 518036, China |
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Abstract Objective: To determine the correlations between dimensions of the levator hiatus in late pregnant nulliparous women and mode of delivery, including length of second stage. Methods: This was a prospective observation study of 67 nulliparous women examined between 36 and 40 weeks of pregnancy. A translabial ultrasound examination was performed, and three-dimensional volume comprising the levator hiatus was recorded at rest, during a pelvic floor muscle contraction and on Valsalva. The volumes were analyzed in a blinded fashion using TUI to determine linear dimensions and hiatal area. Information regarding delivery outcomes and courses of labour was obtained from the obstetric database. Statistical analysis was undertaken for correlations between hiatal dimensions and labour outcomes. Results: No consistent correlation was found between levator dimensions and delivery mode. However, a negative correlation was demonstrated between the area of the hiatus, particularly on pelvic floor contraction, and length of total second stage. Conclusions: Levator hiatal dimensions are associated with the length of the second stage of labour. Although the number was small, our findings suggest that the effect of pelvic floor structures on progress in labour is worth of further study.
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Received: 11 January 2011
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2012, Vol. 23 
