Bertha Chen, MD

Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecologic Specialties/Urogynecology
Standford School of Medicine

Ngan F. Huang, PhD 
Associate Professor, Stanford University
Research Career Scientist, Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System

Talk Title: Cellular mechanisms in the vagina of women with recurrent vaginal prolapse after prolapse surgery

Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) is a debilitating condition characterized by the downward movement of the vaginal and/or the uterus and bladder through the vaginal opening. POP incidence is 40% in women between the ages of 50-79 years. Surgery is the main treatment option, but up to 29% of treated patients experience recurrence of prolapse. Recurrent prolapse is treated with more surgery. Thus, there is a need for new treatment strategies. However, our ability to develop effective, novel treatments is hindered by the lack of understanding of the altered tissue microenvironment and cellular function in the vagina after surgery. Histological and biochemical alterations in the vagina of women with POP have been widely documented, showing decreased smooth muscle cells, altered contractile function, and connective tissue deficiencies. We hypothesize that surgery induces changes in the connective tissue of the prolapsed vagina in conjunction with changes in fibroblast function and smooth muscle cell loss. This leads to deficient vaginal properties that render the vagina susceptible to recurrent prolapse. In this talk, we review the limitations of surgery and discuss our research strategy for investigating the cellular changes in the vagina after surgery.

Heidi Harvie, MD, MBA, MSCE
Director, Penn Urogynecology and Pelvic Reconstructive Surgery
University of Pennsylvania
Talk Title: To Be Provided