Evaluation of vaginal wall and ligament pressures using a VTI device in the preoperative and postoperative periods in patients with pelvic organ prolapse due to vaginal laxity and pelvic floor injury

ABSTRACT Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the biomechanical effects of pelvic organ prolapse (POP) surgery on vaginal and pelvic support structures using Vaginal Tactile Imaging (VTI) technology in women diagnosed with POP. Methods: This study included 32 women diagnosed with stage I or higher pelvic organ prolapse (POP) and 30 healthy women without POP as the control group. All patients underwent vaginal tactile imaging (VTI) measurements preoperatively and at 6 months postoperatively. The VTI device evaluates the functional integrity of pelvic structures—such as tissue resistance, contractile strength, and elasticity—using eight different measurement protocols. Data were compared using statistical analysis, with significance set at p < 0.05. Results: Statistically significant changes were observed in several vaginal wall and ligament pressure parameters measured by VTI in the postoperative period. When comparing preoperative and 6-month postoperative values within the patient group, significant differences were found in P2max_a (–2.9, p<0.05), P2max_p (–2.0, p<0.05), 3P1_I (–1.2, p<0.05), and Df_p (0.5, p<0.05). Notably, improvements in contractile strength, elasticity, and tissue resistance were detected after surgery, particularly in the anterior and posterior vaginal walls as well as in the uterosacral and cardinal ligament regions. Conclusion: POP surgery not only provides anatomical correction but also leads to measurable improvements in the biomechanical properties of pelvic support tissues. The VTI device is a reliable and reproducible tool for objectively assessing surgical outcomes. This study supports the utility of VTI in monitoring tissue quality in POP management. Key Words: POP (Pelvic organ prolapse), VTI (Vaginal Tactile Imaging), ligament pressure, elasticity, tissue resistance.