Urodynamics

Anterior colporrhaphy and sacrospinous hysteropexy in women with pelvic organ prolapse: Urodynamic findings and functional outcomes

OBJECTIVES

Aim of this study was to evaluate urodynamic effects and functional outcomes after anterior colporrhaphy and bilateral sacrospinous hysteropexy (SSH) in patients with stages II-IV pelvic organ prolapse (POP).

STUDY DESIGN

This is a single-centre prospective study. Sixty-two women affected by anterior/central compartment prolapse of stage II-IV u ndergoing anterior colporrhaphy and bilateral SSH were recruited from our pelvic center. The preoperative evaluation included history, clinical examination, uroflowmetry and urodynamic studies (UDS). Six months after surgery, all patients performed UDS, completed the Urogenital Distress Inventory (UDI)-6, the Incontinence Impact Questionnaire (IIQ-7) and the Patient Global Impression of Improvement (PGI-I) questionnaire.

RESULTS

Median follow-up study was 11 months (range 6-24). Q max significantly improved compared with baseline (21.1 ± 7.3 vs 12.3 ± 7.1 ml/s; p = 0.005) and the percentage of patients with PVR > 30% of premicturitional bladder volume significantly decreased (33.3% vs 11.1%; p = 0.001). At baseline, 24 (38.7%) women had typical phasic DO. Six months after surgery, DO was detected in only eleven women (17.7%) (p < 0.0001), with no de novo cases. Thirteen (21%) women reported SUI preoperatively which persisted in 5 patients (8.1%) after surgery, with no de novo cases. BOO was observed in only eight (12.9%) patients postoperatively compared with 51 (82.3%) at baseline (p < 0.0001). At last follow up visit, the UDI-6 and IIQ-7 total median scores improved significantly (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Combination of anterior colporrhaphy and bilateral SSH in women with advanced POP provides good functional outcomes, as demonstrated by the urodynamic findings before and after surgery.

Impact of preoperative urodynamics on women undergoing pelvic organ prolapse surgery

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS

Preoperative urodynamic studies (UDS) are frequently performed before pelvic organ prolapse (POP) surgery to assess urethral and bladder function. The primary goal of this study is to examine how preoperative UDS are utilized and what value these studies have in patient treatment and/or counseling.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed patients who underwent prolapse surgery and had preoperative UDS between June 2010 and February 2015. Indications for UDS were classified into four categories: (1) occult stress urinary incontinence only, (2) overactive bladder symptoms, (3) mixed or insensible urinary incontinence, and (4) voiding symptoms and/or elevated post-void residual. We identified changes in management or counseling that were directly attributable to UDS results prior to surgery.

RESULTS

Three hundred ninety-two patients underwent urodynamic testing for indications 2-4 above, and 316 met the inclusion criteria. Fifty-seven percent (180/316) had OAB symptoms (34.4% wet, 65.6% dry), 40.2% (127/316) had mixed incontinence, and 17.1% (54/316) had voiding symptoms and/or elevated PVR. A total of 3.5% (11/316) patients had alteration in their management or counseling based on the results of the UDS; 29.4% (50/170) of the women evaluated for occult SUI alone or with other symptoms demonstrated it and 41 underwent sling placement.

CONCLUSIONS

UDS did not have a significant impact on preoperative management or counseling in POP surgery if demonstration of occult SUI was not the indication for preoperative study in women committed to POP surgery. Major alterations in treatment were rare and occurred mostly in women with stress incontinence that also had concomitant voiding symptoms and/or elevated PVR.

Urogenital consequences in ageing women

Various anatomical, physiological, genetic, lifestyle and reproductive factors interact throughout a woman's life span and contribute to pelvic floor disorders. Ageing affects pelvic floor anatomy and function, which can result in a variety of disorders, such as pelvic organ prolapse, lower urinary tract symptoms, dysfunctional bowel and bladder evacuation, and sexual dysfunction. The exact mechanisms and pathophysiological processes by which ageing affects pelvic floor and lower urinary and gastrointestinal tract anatomy and function are not always clear. In most cases, it is difficult to ascertain the exact role of ageing per se as an aetiological, predisposing or contributing factor. Other conditions associated with ageing that may co-exist, such as changes in mental status, can result in different types of pelvic floor dysfunction (e.g. functional incontinence). Pelvic organ dysfunction may be associated with significant morbidity and affect quality of life. These groups of patients often pose difficult diagnostic and therapeutic dilemmas owing to complex medical conditions and concurrent morbidities. In this chapter, we summarise the current evidence on the management of pelvic floor disorders, with emphasis on elderly women and the associations between the ageing process and these disorders. Clinicians with an understanding of the affect of ageing on the pelvic floor and lower urinary and gastrointestinal tract anatomy and function, and the complex interplay of other comorbidities, will be able to investigate, diagnose and treat appropriately there women. A holistic approach may result in substantial improvements in their quality of life.