Assessment of pelvic organ prolapse : a review

Female Pelvic organ prolapse (FPOP) is a highly prevalent condition. Its incidence is likely to increase further because of aging populations. There is a need to understand treatment and prevention better, and proper diagnosis is the first step towards these ends. Most importantly, we need to define what is 'normal' and 'abnormal'. In this review article we will focus on the clinical and ultrasound assessment of FPOP. Current data suggest pelvic floor injury is important in the pathogenesis of FPOP and as a risk factor for prolapse recurrence after surgery. It has become evident that pelvic floor assessment should be included in the management of women with FPOP. We will discuss the limits of normality for pelvic organ descent, both on translabial/ transperineal ultrasound and on clinical examination, and place special emphasis on measures to avoid false negative findings on FPOP assessment.