Dramatic improvement in imaging techniques (3D ultrasonography, dynamic magnetic resonance) allows greater insight into the complex anatomy of the pelvic floor and its pathological modifications. Obstetric events leading to fecal and urinary incontinence in women, the development of pelvic organ prolapse, and the mechanism of voiding dysfunction and obstructed defecation can now be accurately assessed, which is essential for appropriate treatment decision making. This book, written by the leading experts in the field, will be an invaluable tool for gynecologists, colorectal surgeons, urologists, radiologists, and gastroenterologists with a special interest in this field of medicine, but it will be also relevant to everyone who aspires to improve their understanding of the fundamental principles of pelvic floor disorders.

Inhalt
Pelvic Floor Anatomy.- State of the Art Pelvic Floor Anatomy.- The Integral Theory: A Musculo-elastic Theory of Pelvic Floor Function and Dysfunction.- Pathophysiology of the Pelvic Floor: Basic Physiology, Effects of Ageing, and Menopausal Changes.- The Pelvic Floor: Functional Concepts and Neurocontrol.- Clinical Neurophysiology of the Pelvic Floor.- Pelvic Floor Imaging.- Pelvic Floor Imaging: Introduction.- Endovaginal Ultrasonography: Methodology and Normal Pelvic Floor Anatomy.- Translabial Ultrasonography: Methodology and Normal Pelvic Floor Anatomy.- Endoanal and Endorectal Ultrasonography: Methodology and Normal Pelvic Floor Anatomy.- Technical Innovations in Pelvic Floor Ultrasonography.- Invited Commentary.- Magnetic Resonance Imaging: Methodology and Normal Pelvic Floor Anatomy.- Technical Innovations in Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the Pelvic Floor.- Invited Commentary.- Pelvic Floor Damage Due to Childbirth.- Pelvic Floor Damage Due to Childbirth: Introduction.- Mechanisms of Pelvic Floor Trauma During Vaginal Delivery.- Posterior Compartment Disorders and Management of Acute Anal Sphincter Trauma.- Prevention of Perineal Trauma.- Invited Commentary.- Invited Commentary.- Urinary Incontinence and Voiding Dysfunction.- Urinary Incontinence and Voiding Dysfunction: Introduction.- Ultrasonography.- Invited Commentary.- Urodynamics.- Invited Commentary.- Tape Positioning.- Selection of Midurethral Slings for Women with Stress Urinary Incontinence.- Injectable Biomaterials.- Artificial Urinary Sphincter in Women.- Sacral Nerve Stimulation.- Invited Commentary.- Biofeedback.- Medical Treatment of Urinary Incontinence, Urinary Retention, and Overactive Bladder.- Invited Commentary.- Fecal Incontinence.- Fecal Incontinence: Introduction.- Three-dimensional Endoluminal Ultrasonography.- Transperineal Ultrasonography.- Magnetic Resonance Imaging.- Invited Commentary.- Anorectal Manometry.- Invited Commentary.- Sphincter Repair and Postanal Repair.- Dynamic Graciloplasty.- Radiofrequency Energy and Injectable Biomaterials.- Artificial Bowel Sphincter.- Sacral Neuromodulation.- Future Treatment.- Invited Commentary.- Biofeedback.- Medical Treatment.- Invited Commentary.- Pelvic Organ Prolapse.- Pelvic Organ Prolapse: Introduction.- Imaging as a Key to Understanding the Causes of Pelvic Organ Prolapse.- Endoluminal Ultrasonography.- Translabial Ultrasonography.- Cystography and Defecography.- Magnetic Resonance Imaging.- Invited Commentary.- Invited Commentary.- Anorectal Manometry.- Invited Commentary.- Management of Pelvic Organ Prolapse: a Unitary or Multidisciplinary Approach?.- The Abdominal Approach to Urogenital Prolapse.- The Perineal Approach to Urogential Prolapse.- The Laparoscopic Approach to Pelvic Floor Surgery.- Total Pelvic Floor Reconstruction.- Invited Commentary.- The Abdominal Approach to Rectal Prolapse.- The Perineal Approach to Rectal Prolapse.- Invited Commentary.- The Laparoscopic Approach to Rectal Prolapse.- Invited Commentary.- Pelvic Floor Muscle Training in Prevention and Treatment of Pelvic Organ Prolapse.- Medical Treatment of Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Constipation, and Obstructed Defecation.- Invited Commentary.- Pelvic Pain.- Pelvic Pain: Introduction.- Painful Bladder Syndrome.- Pelvic Pain Associated with a Gynecologic Etiology.- Pelvic Pain Associated with a Coloproctologic Etiology.- Surface Electromyography and Myofascial Therapy in the Management of Pelvic Pain.- Chronic Pelvic Pain: A Different Perspective.- Invited Commentary.- Invited Commentary.- Fistula.- Fistula: Introduction.- Urogenital Fistulae.- Rectovaginal Fistulae.- Anorectal Fistulae.- Invited Commentary.- Invited Commentary.- Failure or Recurrence after Surgical Treatment: What to Do When it All Goes Wrong.- Failure or Recurrence after Surgical Treatment: Introduction.- Imaging and Management of Complications of Urogynecologic Surgery.- Invited Commentary.- Investigation and Management of Complications after Coloproctological Surgery.- Invited Commentary.- Invited Commentary.