INEGI and ICBAS together to study new treatment pathways for pelvic organ prolapse

A team of researchers from INEGI, with the support of the Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar (ICBAS), is developing new treatments and diagnostic means for pelvic organ prolapse.

Prolapse is a disorder that is estimated to affect between 3% and 8% of women and comes from the weakening of the pelvic muscles. As Rita Rynkevic, responsible for the project at INEGI, explains, "the treatment of this health problem usually involves surgery or repair through meshes, but these solutions have a high rate of complications and recurrences".

As an alternative to these interventions, the research team's work plan includes the study of injectable biodegradable wires to strengthen the vaginal wall. The goal is to avoid subjecting patients to major surgery and associated complications.

"The advantage of this technique is that the threads can be applied to older women, and even after vaginal birth, without making future births impossible - something that is not possible with conventional meshes", says Rita Rynkevic.

The project also contemplates the development of diagnostic equipment to diagnose prolapse at an early stage. It should be minimally invasive, and allow in vivo measurements of the mechanical behavior of vaginal tissue, in order to pave the way for personalized therapies.

INEGI has stood out in the study of the biomechanics of women's pelvic cavity, supporting the development of techniques to optimize and personalize medical treatments. This work also results in the design and development of devices to support diagnostics, treatments, and surgical procedures.

The project ‘PRECOGFIL: Novel pre-tensioned cog threads for transvaginal repair of anterior and posterior compartment prolapse’ is co-financed by the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT).