Journal of Gastrointestinal & Digestive System
Open Access

Abstract

Anatomically the vagina and urethra are closely connected with the bowel by a complex group of pelvic floor muscles. Stress urinary incontinence, SUI which affects a very large number of women, is determined my a number of contributory factors related to pelvic floor function. Urethral function, a determinant of continence is evaluated urodynamically using the urethral pressure profile measurement (UPP). In this presentation, the parameters of the UPP will be presented in the context of the vaginal pressure profile (VPP). The intimate connection between urethral and vaginal pressures are examined statically and dynamically in females with SUI and compared to controls. The response of the anorectal junction and anal sphincter will be considered as these structures are related to urethral and vaginal pressures. Dynamic SUI inducing events, such as coughing will be used to demonstrate the response of the gastrointestinal, and urogenital tract. Presentation will consider the impact, clinically important maneuvers such as pelvic floor precontraction as an SUI prevention modality using measurements of vaginal and urethral pressures as these are transmitted within the pelvic cavity. Finally, the overall goal is to provide a comprehensive view of the lower GI and GU system as these structures relate to important clinical problems.

Biography

Christos E. Constantinou completed his Ph.D. at Stanford University and continued as faculty in the Department of Urology where he was responsible in organizing its first urodynamics laboratory. He worked as principal investigator in a number NIH projects involving the evaluation of pelvic floor function, using ultrasound imaging and novel vaginal and urethral probes. He has published more than 145 papers and chapters in peer reviewed journals, is currently Editor in Chief of the Open Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology and is serving on the editorial board member of many other journals.