As promised, here is the answer to the trivia question. This is what Dr. Meltzer told me when I asked. And I specifically asked becaus I thought it significant that he kept asking me if I wanted a set of his, or did I have my own set I'd be using.
Ergonomics
But not what you'd think.
Yes, the average human penis has a bit of a curve to it, but that's not why.
For maximum depth, the neovaginal dissection can proceed up around the backside of the bladder for a bit, which follows a bit of a curved path (the space is between the bladder proper and the peritoneal membrane, for those anatomically inclined...) But that's not why.
Dr. Meltzer became alarmed that too many newly-post-op women were inserting the dilators at a downward angle, digging the tip into the back wall of the vagina, and putting stress on the separation between the vagina and the rectum. There was a risk, however remote, that that partition wall could be injured or even perforated. That possible outcome was so disastrous that he wanted to lessen the chance that some newbie might end up in ER one day with a major medical problem on her and the ER team's hands.
So the curved dilator was born. Notice (those of you in possession of a set,) that when held 'dots up', the handle is much easier to reach while still presenting the 'business end' at the proper angle to begin insertion without stressing the back wall.
Once started correctly, the slight curve provides only a slight increase in stress over the length of the vagina, compared to a straight dilator. And that stress is spread over a greater area.
That's it. (I think I neglected to inform Dr. M that this patient is a trained journalist... >
)
Karen
