International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics

Working Group on Pelvic Floor Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery
chaired by Professor Oscar Contreras Ortiz

Approved Terms of Reference 

Sub-Group 1 

• To develop a validated questionnaire that allows to analyze current development, interest and possibilities of this area in each region.
• To propose educational objectives according to the results of the questionnaire.

 Sub-Group 2 

• To analyze the implementation of the latest IUGA/ICS proposal (2010) to implement female pelvic floor dysfunction terminology and methodology and its possibility of worldwide implementation.
• To analyze latest prolapse classification proposals based on clinical assessment and complementary studies (imaging technologies), comparing them with the different classifications currently used.
• To establish a Quality of Life (QofL) questionnaire to correlate it with the pelvic lesion degree.

 Sub-Group 3 

• Basic assessment of surgical pelvic dysfunctions that allow therapeutical decision making.
• Value and clinical application of diagnostic methods, imaging, urodynamics, etc in surgical decision-making and follow-up.
• Committee’s opinion about current surgical procedures (mesh or not, when and which), laparoscopy and robotic surgery.

 Sub-Group 4 

• To assess current knowledge and level of evidence with regards to pelvic floor rehabilitation of different female pelvic floor dysfunctions, this committee will use high quality meta-analyses and systematic reviews, like, for instance, the Cochrane Collaboration Reviews, the reports of the International Consultation on Incontinence and relevant handbooks, like, for instance, ‘Physical Therapy for the Pelvic Floor, from Evidence-based Theory to Clinical Practice’.
• Based on the number of publications with different modalities of research we will summarize the current most important conclusions of the different diagnostics techniques and treatment modalities, recommendations for practice and research.
• To establish a modality of outcomes assessment for:
  • Urinary incontinence and female lower urinary tract dysfunctions/micturition problems
  • Pelvic organ prolapse
  • Fecal incontinence and constipation
  • Pelvic pain

The Working Group as a whole should liaise closely with the International Urogynecology Association and other Urogynecological Associations and other groups working in this area.

Members 2009-2012: Coming shortly