Abstract
Basford JR. The Law of Laplace and its relevance to contemporary medicine and rehabilitation.
Arch Phys Med Rehabil 2002;83:1165-70. Objective: To show that the Law of Laplace is not only a historical curiosity but also remains
relevant to our daily teaching and clinical activities. Data Sources: Comprehensive MEDLINE (1960–2000) and CINAHL (1982–2000) computer literature searches
performed by using key words such as Law of Laplace, Laplace, and Laplace relationship. Additional references were obtained from the bibliographies of the selected articles.
Supplementary searches were also made by using various Internet search engines. Study Selection: Primary references were used whenever possible. Data Extraction: A single reviewer assessed all references and extracted information relevant to the
Law of Laplace. Data Synthesis: Although the Law of Laplace is attributed to Pierre Simon de Laplace, Laplace may
not deserve the credit for the discovery. Nevertheless, the relationship (T [tension]
α P [pressure] R [radius]) is easily derived and improves our understanding of the
physiologic basis of many of our medical and rehabilitation practices. For example,
the Law provides an insight into the mechanism of action of compression garments and
lumbosacral orthoses, an understanding of the role of uterine muscle during delivery,
and a reason why cesarean sections are made in the lower uterus. In addition, the
Law explains many aspects of such diverse phenomena as penile erection, compartment
syndromes, and peripheral edema. Perhaps most important, the Law explains the basis
of many common medical practices that we use to promote bladder emptying, to control
edema, and to plan surgery. Conclusion: The Law of Laplace explains the mechanism of a wide range of physiologic phenomena.
Unfortunately, even though it was developed about 200 years ago, the insights it provides
us are often underused. More consideration of its implications can improve our clinical
practice, our teaching, and our enjoyment of medicine. © 2002 by the American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine and the American Academy
of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Correspondence to Jeffrey Basford MD, PhD, Dept of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Mayo Clinic and Foundation, 200 Second St SW, Rochester, MN 55902. Reprints are not available.
Footnotes
☆No commercial party having a direct financial interest in the results of the research supporting this article has or will confer a benefit upon the author(s) or upon any organization with which the author(s) is/are associated.
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Copyright
© 2002 American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine and the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
