Hans Peter Dietz

Biography

Professor Hans Peter Dietz is an Obstetrician and Gynaecologist and RANZCOG-certified subspecialist in Urogynaecology. He is an internationally renowned expert in pelvic floor imaging. Professor Dietz’s research focuses on the prevention and treatment of maternal pelvic floor trauma related to childbirth. For over 25 years, he has studied damage to pelvic organ support structures, associated with childbirth, and is recognised for his pioneering research in the field. His work is of fundamental importance as a substantial proportion of women delivering their first child vaginally suffer extensive damage to pelvic floor structures, which can result in pelvic organ prolapse and/or urinary or fecal incontinence, often many years after childbirth, which can be extremely distressing. Aside from the costs associated with surgical treatment, prolapse due to pelvic floor trauma is particularly difficult to repair and may recur after surgery. Professor Dietz’s seminal research contributions include the rediscovery on ultrasound, of trauma to a muscle that plays a major role in childbirth (the levator ani) occurring as a consequence of vaginal delivery. He has documented findings regarding such trauma during and after labour, identified forceps delivery as the major risk factor for levator trauma, and defined other risk factors such as age at first delivery. His research has established a clear relationship between levator trauma and pelvic organ prolapse and prolapse recurrence after reconstructive surgery. Additionally, he has developed non-invasive imaging techniques for the evaluation of women with prolapse, obstructed defecation and fecal incontinence. His group has been the first to diagnose and to attempt the repair of levator trauma during labour. Professor Dietz is Editor of the journal Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynaecology and Associate Editor of the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology.

Research Interest

Professor Dietz’s main research interests include investigation of the effect of childbirth on the pelvic floor and on the patient’s psyche, the development of diagnostic ultrasound imaging techniques in urogynaecology, and the prevention and treatment of pelvic floor disorders. The Pelvic Floor Unit at Sydney Medical School Nepean is leading the world in 3D/4D translabial ultrasound, the premier imaging modality in urogynaecology. For further information and resources see: Pelvic Floor Ultrasound - Teaching Resources, a website developed by Professor Dietz to disseminate evidence-based information. The content is available for non-commercial use, provided copyright and authorship are acknowledged.