Impact of radical hysterectomy for cervical cancer on urodynamic findings

To elucidate the impact of radical hysterectomy upon the urodynamic findings of patients with cervical cancer, 20 patients with cervical cancer at stage IB to IIA who underwent radical hysterectomy were recruited. Each patient underwent a 20-min pad test and urodynamic study prior to and 3 months after radical hysterectomy. ANOVA, Bonferroni test and paired t -test were utilized for analysis. The mean age of the 20 patients was 50.2±8.7 years with a mean parity of 3.5±1.5. Four (20%) of the 20 cases revealed normal urodynamic findings preoperatively, and the urodynamic findings became abnormal after surgery. Comparing the urodynamic parameters of both bladder voiding and storage functions pre- and post-surgery, we found significant impairments postoperatively in all 20 cases. Our data demonstrate that abnormal urodynamic findings may pre-exist for some patients with cervical cancer prior to surgical treatment. These findings may worsen, and/or additional abnormal states may arise subsequent to radical hysterectomy.Abbreviations GSI Genuine stress incontinence - MUCP Maximal urethral closure pressure - MUP Maximal urethral pressure Editorial Comment: This paper is interesting because of the attempt at getting longitudinal urodynamic data on patients undergoing radical hysterectomy. All diagnosis and data are based on urodynamic findings. The patients serve as their own controls and only 20% were normal before surgery. Urodynamic data are useless in the absence of clinical correlation, and only provide a photographic and not cinematic view of bladder function. I believe it to be critical to include such information to evaluate the value of the information presented if it were to add to our knowledge of bladder dysfunction following radical hysterectomy. Further studies with control groups with no surgery and with regular hysterectomy would add worthwhile information regarding the true impact of radical hysterectomy for cervical cancer on the lower urinary tract function.