Narender N. Bhatia

Effects of estrogen on urethral function in women with urinary incontinence

In a prospective study, 2 gm of conjugated estrogen vaginal cream was administered daily for a total of 6 weeks in a group of 11 postmenopausal women with urodynamically proved genuine stress incontinence. Midurethral cytologic studies and a complete clinical and urodynamic evaluation were performed twice at 6-week intervals. Clinically, six of the 11 patients (54.5%) were cured or improved significantly after estrogen treatment, whereas the other five patients (45.5%) were clinically unchanged. The favorable clinical response correlated with urodynamic findings of increased urethral closure pressure and improved abdominal pressure transmission to the proximal urethra (p less than 0.05); in the patients who had a poor clinical response to estrogens, no significant changes in urethral dynamics were noted. Changes in urethral cytologic findings also correlated well with clinical and urodynamic findings. Patients with a favorable response to estrogen showed a maturation change from transitional to intermediate squamous epithelium (p less than 0.02), whereas nonresponders showed no significant changes in urethral cells.

RESOLUTION OF MOTOR URGE INCONTINENCE AFTER SURGICAL REPAIR OF PELVIC ORGAN PROLAPSE

PURPOSE We determined the resolution rate of urge incontinence in women with uterine and/or vaginal vault prolapse plus coexistent motor urge incontinence after the surgical repair of prolapse as well as predictors of postoperative urge incontinence status. MATERIALS AND METHODS We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 38 women with grade 2 or greater uterine and/or vaginal vault prolapse plus coexistent motor urge incontinence who were evaluated and treated at our institution between July 1, 1996 and December 31, 1999. RESULTS Urge incontinence resolved in 24 of the 38 women (63%) and persisted in 14 (37%) after the surgical repair of uterine and/or vaginal vault prolapse. Patient age, vaginal parity, body mass index, menopausal status, bladder compliance and the number who underwent previous pelvic surgery were similar in the 2 groups. Uninhibited detrusor contractions less than 25 cm. water during cystometry (p = 0.01) and bladder trabeculation (p = 0.03) were each an independent predictor of urge incontinence resolution after repair. CONCLUSIONS In most women with grade 2 or greater uterovaginal and coexistent motor urge incontinence urge incontinence resolved after the surgical repair of prolapse.

Reevaluating occult incontinence

Purpose of review Occult incontinence is a controversial subject without significant exposure in the literature. Conventionally, it has been assumed to be a marker for increased risk of postoperative stress urinary incontinence (POSUI) after repair of pelvic organ prolapse. The controversy surrounds the performance of prophylactic incontinence procedures based on this assumption. Until 2004 no article in the English language had been published demonstrating an association between occult incontinence and increased risk of stress urinary incontinence after repair of severe pelvic organ prolapse in previously continent women. We will explore the evidence regarding occult incontinence, review the data on intervention trials, and address questions that remain. Recent findings The limited evidence suggests 11–22% of continent patients with severe pelvic organ prolapse will develop POSUI. New evidence suggests that patients with occult incontinence are at substantially more risk. Since anti-incontinence procedures in patients with occult incontinence reduces the incidence of POSUI (to 0–15%), there appears to be some benefit from screening and intervention. Most studies on the subject are small and limited by their design. Results differ regarding whether a negative stress test can be used to rule out the risk of POSUI. Summary Minimal existing evidence in the English language suggests that patients with occult incontinence are at increased risk of POSUI. Outcomes in occult incontinence patients undergoing repair of pelvic organ prolapse need systematic study. Until there is adequate solid evidence on the predictive values of our screening test, we cannot counsel patients regarding our ability to prevent POSUI or protect them from unnecessary procedures.

The prevalence of urinary incontinence or prolapse among white and Hispanic women

OBJECTIVE Our purpose was to study the distribution of symptoms and disorders of urinary incontinence or prolapse among white and Hispanic women. STUDY DESIGN Data were collected for all new patients referred to the urogynecology clinic over a 2-year period. One hundred twenty-one Hispanic and 50 white women consecutively referred to the urogynecology clinic as new patients over 2 years were included in the study. All patients underwent a detailed history and physical examination and multichannel urodynamic studies. Differences between the two groups were analyzed for significant differences by use of demographic data, presenting symptoms, urodynamic profiles, and final diagnosis or disorder. RESULTS The symptoms of stress, urge, or mixed incontinence and prolapse were noted in 26%, 18%, 30%, and 14% of white women, respectively, compared with 41%, 9%, 21%, and 26% of Hispanic women (p=0.019). The diagnosis of genuine stress incontinence, motor urge incontinence, mixed incontinence, and pelvic organ prolapse without incontinence was made, respectively, in 16%, 44%, 6%, and 18% of white women versus 30%, 27%, 5%, and 18% of Hispanic women (p=0.33). The nondiagnostic rate after a complete evaluation for both groups was 10%. Hispanic women were of significantly higher gravidity (5.6 vs 3.8, p=0.001) and parity (4.7 vs 3.0, p=0.0006) than white women but were of comparable age. Medical problems and medications were too infrequent to allow meaningful comparison. White women were much more likely to have undergone a hysterectomy (36% vs 11.5%, p=0.0004, 95% confidence interval 1.8 to 10.3). CONCLUSION Although the distribution of presenting symptoms of incontinence differs between Hispanic and white women, the final diagnosis after a complete urogynecologic evaluation was similar. Therefore presenting complaints in patients of different ethnic groups appears to be a poor predictor of the type of incontinence. Hispanic women were of higher gravidity and parity than white women were, but white women were more likely to have undergone a hysterectomy. Because the power of this study was limited by the 50 white women, larger prospective and longitudinal studies are needed to determine the significance of possible difference in etiologic factors.

Lumbosacral spine and pelvic inlet changes associated with pelvic organ prolapse.

Objective To determine the association between advanced pelvic organ prolapse and changes in lumbar lordosis and/or pelvic inlet orientation. Methods Lateral lumbosacral spine/pelvic x-rays were taken of women with grade 2 or greater uterovaginal prolapse and women with grade 1 or less prolapse standing in their usual upright posture. The angles of lumbar lordosis and the pelvic inlet were measured by a radiologist who was masked to the pelvic examination findings. Results Twenty women with prolapse were matched with 20 women without significant prolapse. There were no significant differences in the mean (± standard deviation [SD]) age (55.3 ± 9.0 years compared with 53.4 ± 9.5 years), body mass index (BMI) (28.9 ± 5.6 compared with 28.4 ± 5.2), gravidity (5.6 ± 3.5 compared with 5.0 ± 2.7), and vaginal parity (4.65 ± 3.3 compared with 4.5 ± 2.9) between the prolapse and nonprolapse groups, respectively. All participants were vaginally parous. The mean lumbar lordotic angle in women with pelvic organ prolapse (32.0° ± 9.8°) was significantly lower than that of controls (42.4° ± 10.9°) (P < .003). The mean angle of the pelvic inlet in women with pelvic organ prolapse (37.5° ± 7.0°) was significantly larger than that of controls (29.5° ± 7.3°) (P < .001). The differences in the mean angles of lumbar lordosis and the pelvic inlet, between the case and control groups, remained significant after multivariable logistic regression was performed. Conclusion Women with advanced uterovaginal prolapse have less lumbar lordosis and a pelvic inlet that is oriented less vertically than women without prolapse.

THE BURCH PROCEDURE : A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW

The purpose of this review is to provide the obstetrician/gynecologist with a comprehensive review of the open Burch procedure including operative technique and modifications, complications, and success rates. A computerized search of English-language articles was performed on the MEDLINE database. Additional sources were identified through cross-referencing. All identified articles were reviewed with particular attention to operative technique, complication, and success rates. Each reference was reviewed; operative technique and modifications are cited, and all complications are reported here. Overall success rates by length of follow-up are tabulated. Several comparative studies are cited. The Burch procedure via laparotomy has undergone minimal modification since its initial description in 1961. Complications including voiding dysfunction, detrusor instability, and urinary tract infection occur in up to 41 percent of patients, but more serious sequelae such as urinary tract injury, hemorrhage, or venous thromboembolism are rare. Long-term success rates of the Burch procedure range from 61 to 100 percent, which are as good or better than any other incontinence procedure.

Urodynamic effects of a vaginal pessary in women with stress urinary incontinence

The manner in which a vaginal pessary restores urinary continence is poorly understood. This report provides an explanation. Following placement of the vaginal pessary, detailed urodynamic studies in a group of 12 women with stress urinary incontinence demonstrated consistent and significant (p less than 0.005) increase in urethral functional length and urethral closure pressure under varying stressful conditions, when compared with prepessary studies. Postpessary stress testing also became normal (p less than 0.005). Prepessary and postpessary simultaneous voiding urethrocystometry and instrumented uroflowmetry demonstrated absence of obstruction to free flow of urine. Clinically, 10 of 12 patients became continent. Characteristic postpessary urodynamic alterations and Q-tip test changes provided an objective explanation that the vaginal pessary restored continence by stabilizing the urethra and urethrovesical junction to allow proper pressure transmission and by actively increasing urethral resistance to escape of urine under resting and stressful conditions.

Physiologic role of nitric oxide and nitric oxide synthase in female lower urinary tract.

Purpose of review In recent years nitric oxide (NO) has gained increasing recognition as an important neurotransmitter and cell signaling molecule with a broad range of functions in the lower urinary tract. This review discusses recently published data related to the physiologic and pathophysiologic roles of NO and nitric oxide synthase (NOS) in the female lower urinary tract. Recent findings Expression of three isoforms of NOS, namely endothelial NOS, neuronal NOS and inducible NOS, has been identified in various tissues of the lower urinary tract in animals and humans. In addition to its relaxation effects on bladder and urethra, NO also serves as a neurotransmitter in the lower urinary tract. The physiologic roles of NO in overactive bladder, bladder outlet obstruction, diabetic cystopathy, interstitial cystitis, and bladder inflammation have been demonstrated. Summary NO plays an important role in the micturition process and in disorders of the lower urinary tract. Improved understanding of the pathophysiologic role of NO/NOS system and of the L-arginine-NO-cGMP pathway may allow us to identify suitable therapeutic targets for lower urinary tract disorders. However, there is a need for further investigation to determine the precise function of NO in human lower urinary tract because most work thus far has been done in animal models.

Pregnancy following incontinence surgery

A two-page questionnaire was distributed to 304 members of the American Urogynecology Society. Ninety-nine of the 149 respondents reported that they had performed continence surgery on patients who specifically stated their desire for future childbearing. One hundred and eleven recommended the Burch colposuspension, 29 favored the sling procedure, and others advocated different procedures. Urologists as a subset more often recommended either a sling or needle suspension. Twenty-eight percent of respondents felt a trial of labor and vaginal delivery was indicated following incontinence surgery, but 40% stated that they would always perform cesarean section in these patients. A total of 40 vaginal deliveries and 47 cesarean sections were reported. When postpartum continence status was known, only 73% of women who had vaginal deliveries were continent, whereas 95% were continent following cesarean section. Fishers exact test revealed this to be a statistically significant difference (P=0.0344).

Ultrasonography in urinary incontinence

Linear array ultrasound techniques were utilized in place of conventional radiologic procedures to study the dynamics of the urethrovesical junction and proximal urethra in patients with urinary incontinence. This ultrasound procedure provided an objective demonstration of the mobility of the urethrovesical junction and documented the presence of an anatomic defect. It aided in the selection of patients suitable for surgical correction of stress incontinence and their postoperative follow-up. Ultrasound was also employed to demonstrate uninhibited detrusor contractions in patients with vesical instability.