Urodynamic assessment of anterior urethral constrictions Studies with micturitional vesicourethral static pressure profile

Urodynamic evaluation consisting of urethral closure pressure profile (UCPP) and micturitional vesicourethral static pressure profile (MUPP) was carried out in male patients who had obstructive lower urinary tract symptoms. The studies revealed that 12 patients had varying degrees of anterior urethral constrictions. Seven from this group of patients had coexistent posterior urethral obstructions. All patients who demonstrated anterior urethral constrictions in the UCPP (resting state) had abnormal MUPP configurations during voiding.     

Urethral closure pressure profiles in the standing position: Are they necessary?

The aim of the study was to assess the sensitivity for urodynamic abnormalities of both static and dynamic urethral closure pressure profiles done in the sitting and standing positions. Multichannel urethral closure pressure profilometry (UCPP) was performed on 21 patients complaining of stress incontinence. Two clinical groups were identified, those with mild to moderate and those with severe incontinence. The parameters of both the static and the dynamic UCPPs obtained in the sitting and standing positions were compared for sensitivity to urodynamic abnormalities. Non-parametric statistical methods were used (Wilcoxon signed rank test; Mann-Whitney test.) No statistically significant differences were found in the mean maximum urethral closure pressures (MUCPs) in the two positions. Patients with a clinical diagnosis of severe incontinence had decreased MUCPs in both positions. It was therefore concluded that the urethral closure pressure profile may be measured in the sitting position without compromising the results.Editorial Comment: It is well known that various parameters measured in the urethral closure pressure profile are affected by both posture and degree of bladder filling. In the normal stress continent person, more upright posture and greater bladder filling both produce an increase in closure pressure, whereas the stress incontinent person has lost the ability to compensate for these stresses on the continence mechanism, and a deterioration in closure pressure results. This article concludes that the sitting position is enough to obtain the maximal effect and that it is not necessary to resort to the standing position to see maximal deterioration of closure pressure in the stress incontinent female.     

Lignocaine gel: does it cause urethral pain rather than prevent it?

OBJECTIVES: To test the hypothesis that the chemical content of lignocaine gel is the cause of urethral pain during its instillation into the urethra. METHODS: A prospective, double blind study was designed to test whether plain aqueous gel caused less delivery discomfort in the male urethra than 2% lignocaine hydrochloride gel (Instillagel). 100 consecutive, consenting male patients attending for flexible cystoscopy were recruited and randomised to receive 11 ml of 2% lignocaine hydrochloride gel or 11 ml of plain aqueous gel. Upon receiving the gel into the urethra, the patient was asked to score any associated discomfort by using a horizontal, 100mm, non-graphical, visual analogue scale. Statistical comparison between the groups was made using the non-parametric Mann-Whitney U-test. RESULTS: Statistical analysis by Mann-Whitney U-test showed a significant reduction in urethral delivery discomfort in those patients receiving plain gel compared to those receiving 2% lignocaine hydrochloride gel (p=0.039). CONCLUSIONS: This current study has shown that plain aqueous gel causes significantly less delivery discomfort in the male urethra than 2% lignocaine hydrochloride gel (Instillagel).     

Simultaneous measurement of pressure profile and pull-through force in the urethra of 25 female patients

Simultaneous registration of urethral pressure profile and pull-through force was performed to study the dynamics of sphincteric function in 25 female patients. Three separate types of catheters of six different sizes were used. A 6-French smooth catheter was used to measure maximal urethral closure pressure, functional profile length and length to maximal urethral pressure. The results were divided into three groups (A, B and C) with significantly different closure pressure values, only correlated to the age of the patient. In all three groups (A, B and C), the mean maximal urethral closure pressure increased in linear correlation to the catheter diameter and did not bear any relation to the shape of the catheter tip, either of the bulb or the ball type. A significant exponential correlation was demonstrated between pull-through force and catheter diameter. Also the correlation between force and length of the pull-through force curve was exponential, while only the mean values of closure pressure and force correlated exponentially. No further correlations were found, even after force values were ranked to form three other groups (I, II and III). In contrast to the groups A, B and C, no distinct differences in clinical diagnosis was noticed between groups I, II and III. The pressure and force curves can be explained on a physical basis, despite the variety in pathology. On the basis of this evidence it appears that a more accurate measurement of sphincter function in the female can be obtained by measuring pressure and force simultaneously with different sizes of catheters, especially with a diameter of 15 French or more.     

Effects of prostaglandin E2 applied locally on intravesical and intraurethral pressures in women

In 21 women undergoing simultaneous urethrocystometry because of dysuria, urge, and difficulties to empty the bladder, the effects of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) applied locally in the bladder and urethra were investigated. In all 9 patients receiving PGE2 intravesically, the bladder pressure increased. Simultaneously, there was a signficant decrease in maximum urethral pressure (p less than 0.05), and in urethral closure pressure (p less than 0.005). Residual urine decreased in the 4 patients, in whom it exceeded 50 ml before administration. All 12 patients receiving PGE2 intraurethrally showed a decrease in maximum urethral pressure). There was a significant increase in bladder pressure (p less than 0.05); urethral closure pressure decreased in all patients. Bladder capacity decreased significantly (p less than 0.01). Residual urine exceeding 50 ml was found in 6 patients; it decreased in 4 after PGE2 administration. It is concluded that PGE2 applied intraurethrally can decrease the intraurethral pressure and increase the bladder pressure without side effects. By these actions, the drug might be useful for facilitating bladder emptying in patients with acute retention of urine.     

腹腔镜下膀胱全切除、原位回肠新膀胱的尿流动力学分析

目的 探讨腹腔镜膀胱全切除、原位回肠新膀胱的临床效果。方法 对8例行腹腔镜膀胱全切除、原位回肠新膀胱患者进行排尿情况的记录和尿动力学检查。结果 8例患者均可自主控制排尿（1例夜间轻微尿失禁）,在新膀胱充盈过程中均可出现胀痛感觉,膀胱平均容量377．5ml,压力17．9cmH2O,最大尿流率18．1ml／s,最大尿道闭合压68．5cnH2O,功能性尿道长度3．7cm。结论 腹腔镜根治性全膀胱切除、原位回肠新膀胱术较传统的开放手术创伤更小,但贮尿囊一样具有容积较大、内压较低和可控性较好的优点,排尿良好,值得临床推广。     

Urodynamic changes after radical prostatectomy

Summary Urodynamic examinations were performed in 82 patients with clinically localized prostate cancer before and after radical prostatectomy. A significant decrease in bladder capacity (396 ml to 331.9 ml), urethral closure pressure (89.6 cm H₂O to 65.,2 cm H₂O) and functional profile length (61 mm to 25.9 mm) was noted. The continence rate after radical prostatectomy was 33.4 % after 1 month, 69.4 % after 3 months, 84.7 % after 6 months, and 90.9 % after 12 months, respectively. A correlation was found between urethral closure pressure and functional profile length and continence. A second urodynamic examination was performed 6 months after radical prostatectomy. Functional profile length and urethral closure pressure increased. These data suggest that restoration of continence is based on sphincteric parameters.      

Catheter-less robotic radical prostatectomy using a custom-made synchronous anastomotic splint and vesical urinary diversion device: report of the initial series and perioperative outcomes

OBJECTIVE

To study the feasibility of avoiding a urethral catheter after robotic radical prostatectomy by using suprapubic diversion with a urethral splint, as urethral catheterization is often a source of major discomfort and pain to the patient, and can cause more concern to the patient than the procedure; we present the outcomes of a pilot study.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This pilot study involved 30 patients; in group 1 (the study group of 10 patients) we used a custom‐made suprapubic catheter which provided a small anastomotic splint, multiple holes for drainage and the ability to retract the splint to give a voiding trial before removing the drainage device. Group 2 was a control group of 20 patients who had standard urethral catheterization with an 18 F Silastic Foley catheter. Demographic, intraoperative and outcome data were measured and analysed. Urethral symptoms were recorded using a specially developed questionnaire.

RESULTS

The two groups were comparable in terms of age, serum prostate specific antigen level, body mass index, Gleason scores, tumour stage, operative duration, amount of bleeding, console times, anastomotic leakage and postoperative retention rates. The study group had significantly less penile shaft or tip pain and discomfort during walking or sleeping. No patient in either group had haematuria or clot retention requiring irrigation.

CONCLUSION

Urethral catheter‐less robotic radical prostatectomy is feasible. The advantages are decreased penile shaft and tip pain, and decreased patient discomfort and an earlier return of continence.     

Impact of Percutaneous Suprapubic Tube Drainage on Patient Discomfort after Radical Prostatectomy

Background

Patients undergoing radical prostatectomy (RP) traditionally require urethral catheterization for adequate bladder drainage in the postoperative period. However, many patients have significant discomfort from the urethral catheter.

Objective

To describe a technique of percutaneous suprapubic tube (PST) bladder drainage after robotic-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (RALP) and to evaluate patient discomfort, complications, continence, and stricture rate after this procedure.

Design, setting, and participants

Two hundred two patients undergoing RALP were drained with a 14F PST instead of a urethral catheter. The PST was placed robotically at the conclusion of the urethrovesical anastomosis and secured to the skin over a plastic button. Beginning on postoperative day 5, patients clamped the PST, urinated per urethra, and measured the postvoid residual (PVR) drained by PST. The PST was removed when residuals were <30 cm³ per void. The control group consisted of 50 consecutive patients undergoing RALP with urethral catheter drainage.

Measurements

The primary end point was catheter-associated discomfort as measured with the Faces Pain Score-Revised (FPS-R). Secondary end points included use of anticholinergics, complications related to the PST, urinary continence, and urethral stricture.

Results and limitations

When compared with urethral catheter patients, PST patients had significantly decreased catheter-related discomfort on postoperative days 2 and 6 (p < 0.001). Anticholinergic medication was required by one PST and four urethral catheter patients (p < 0.001). Ten patients required urethral catheterization for PST dislodgement (n = 5) or urinary retention (n = 5). No patient has developed a urethral stricture at a mean follow-up of 7 mo.

Conclusions

PST provides adequate urinary drainage following RALP with less patient discomfort and no increased risk of urethral stricture.     

Effect of urethral catheterisation on urethral sphincter emg and pressure profile

The impact on urethral sphincter EMG and pressure profile of the introduction of a catheter per urethram was assessed in 48 women with various voiding dysfunctions. Urethral EMG activity was recorded with vaginal surface electrodes placed behind the midurethra. A 5F urethral profile catheter was used in 13 patients (group I), an 8F in 23 patients (group II), and a 10F in 12 patients (group III). In all three groups a statistically significantly increased EMG activity was observed following the introduction of the catheter. This increased activity ceased after a median time of 3–5 minutes. The increased EMG activity did not affect the maximum urethral closure pressure and functional profile length. No correlation could be established between changes in EMG activity and changes in urethral closure pressure. It is concluded that the increased sphincter EMG activity provoked by catheterisation does not affect the urethral pressure profile significantly.     

Can remifentanil be a better choice than propofol for colonoscopy during monitored anesthesia care?

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: This prospective, randomized trial was designed to test the hypothesis that continuous infusion of low-dose remifentanil can provide effective analgesia, sedation, amnesia, patient comfort and stable recovery profile without respiratory depression when compared with propofol infusion during colonoscopy. METHODS: One hundred patients were randomly assigned to receive either remifentanil (group R, 0.5 microg/kg followed by 0.05 microg/kg/min, n = 50) or propofol (group P, 0.5 mg/kg followed by 50 microg/kg/min, n = 50). Supplemental doses of remifentanil 12.5 microg in group R and propofol 10 mg in group P were given to treat complaints of moderate to severe pain and discomfort. Hemodynamic and respiratory data, pain, discomfort and sedation scores, patient and gastroenterologist satisfaction and recovery profiles were recorded. RESULTS: The duration of colonoscopy was longer in group P. The mean arterial pressure, heart rate and end-tidal CO2 remained stable during the procedure and were comparable between the groups. After bolus injection of the study drugs, the respiratory rate and oxygen saturation values were lower in group R than in group P. Only one patient in group R required airway support. Pain and discomfort scores were better in group R than in group P. Sedation levels were higher in group P than in group R. Group P needed more supplemental doses than group R. The time to reach an Aldrete score of nine or more was shorter in group R, but discharge times were similar in the two groups. Amnesia was better in group P. Nausea and vomiting were more frequent in group R during the recovery phase. CONCLUSION: Low-dose remifentanil infusion with intermittent bolus injections can provide adequate sedation, amnesia and better analgesia than propofol infusion during colonoscopy. However, remifentanil-induced nausea and vomiting may be a problem during the recovery phase.     

Outcome of urethral closure in patients with neurologic impairment and complete urethral destruction

AIMS: The purpose of this study is to describe the problems associated with prolonged urethral catheterization in 12 patients with neurological problems and to report the results of surgical treatment. METHODS: A retrospective study of patients with neurogenic bladder and urethral dysfunction treated with prolonged catheterization resulting in incontinence associated with loss of urethral tissue and or function selected 12 patients. All had video urodynamics. Twelve were continuously incontinent despite a catheter. Bladder compliance, where that could be measured, was low is 10, and there were multiple and serious co-morbidities including sepsis, hypoalbuminemia, skin breakdown, osteomyelitis, respiratory insuffiency, etc. There were 4 males and 8 females, 9 had a spinal cord injury and 3 progressive multiple sclerosis. RESULTS: Male patients underwent transperineal closure of the membranous urethra; females transvaginal closure of the urethra. All patients had a urinary diversion, either an ileovesicostomy, or an augmentation cystoplasty and construction of a neourethra. Continence was ultimately achieved in 11 of 12 patients at a median 20 months. Four patients had one additional procedure to gain continence, but five patients required 3.8 procedures/patient to achieve continence. Closure of the male urethra was more easily accomplished than closure of an extensively damaged eroded female urethra. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with urethral damage and erosion related to prolonged catheter present a formidable challenge in surgical reconstruction. Most have serious co-mobidities and a single operation does not usually solve all the problems. Persistence does almost always result in continence.     

CO2 laser urethroplasty in the rabbit: a preclinical model.

Our previous work has shown that the CO2 laser can be successfully used in urethral reconstruction in a rat model. This new experiment investigates the use of the CO2 laser to perform a patch graft urethroplasty in the rabbit, as a preclinical model to its use in the repair of hypospadias in humans. Using sterile technique, a patch graft of preputial skin was welded in the repair of a standardized urethral defect in 10 rabbits. In another cohort, the same urethral defect was repaired using standard microsuture technique. In a control group the patch graft was placed with microsuture in a nonwatertight fashion. All animals were followed for 3 weeks. Histologic and radiologic analyses were done in a blinded fashion. Our study showed that CO2 laser repair, when compared to microsuture in urethral reconstruction, required 40% less operative time and produced better graft healing and less intraluminal scarring.     

The Urethral Pressure Profile and Ultrasound Imaging of the Lower Urinary Tract

In a prospective study 105 patients with symptoms of stress incontinence underwent videourodynamic testing, including resting urethral pressure profilometry and translabial ultrasound. The urethral pressure profile (UPP) included maximum urethral closure pressure (MUCP), functional length (FL) and area under the curve (AUC). Ultrasound parameters included urethral thickness, urethral rotation and bladder neck descent, as well as funneling/opening of the internal urethral meatus on Valsalva maneuver. Levator contraction strength was assessed measuring the cranioventral displacement of the internal meatus. Negative correlations between UPP data and age, parity and previous surgery were observed which were consistent with literature data. There was a positive correlation between the urethral AP diameter on ultrasound and the MUCP, which agrees with reports showing reduced sphincter thickness or volume in stress-incontinent women. Hypermobility on ultrasound did not correlate with UPP data. However, a lower MUCP correlated with extensive opening of the bladder neck. Finally, there was a trend towards poorer pelvic floor function with lower MUCP measurements.     

Pathophysiology of urinary incontinence after radical prostatectomy

To define the origin of urinary incontinence after radical prostatectomy urodynamic studies in 24 incontinent patients were compared to those of 13 continent patients. A statistically significant difference between incontinent and continent patients was found for the mean functional profile length (2.1 versus 3.6 cm., respectively, p less than 0.001), maximal urethral closure pressure (39 versus 74 cm. water, respectively, p less than 0.001) and maximal urethral closure pressure during voluntary contraction of the external sphincter (107 versus 172 cm. water, respectively, p less than 0.002). The differences among maximal detrusor pressure, initial bladder volume at which a detrusor contraction occurs, maximal cystometric capacity and residual urine were not statistically significant between the 2 groups. Urethral instability was present in 1 of the 24 incontinent patients (4.2%) and in none of the 13 continent patients, while detrusor instability was present in 6 (25%) and 3 (23.1%), respectively. Urethral and detrusor instability correlated poorly with incontinence (correlation coefficients 0.123 and 0.021, respectively). The appearance of the bladder outlet on voiding cystourethrography was correlated with urodynamic parameters and the presence or absence of continence. Tubularization above the level of the external sphincter was present in continent but absent in incontinent patients. Continence after radical prostatectomy is dependent upon sphincteric efficiency, which may be influenced by the anatomical configuration of the reconstructed bladder outlet and the integrity of the distal urethral sphincteric mechanism.     

Effect of nimodipine on cerebrovascular response to CO2 in asymptomatic individuals and patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage: a transcranial Doppler ultrasound study

The cerebrovascular response to CO2 was evaluated by measuring relative changes in blood flow velocity within the middle cerebral artery by transcranial Doppler ultrasonography during normo-, hypo-, and hypercapnia. In seven patients without subarachnoid hemorrhage (five with unruptured arteriovenous malformations and two with aneurysms), the CO2 vasoreactivity was tested on the side of the middle cerebral artery with normal flow velocities opposite the lesion. A baseline CO2 reactivity test was obtained in each patient and then repeated under constant intravenous infusion of nimodipine, 2 mg/hr. Nine patients with ruptured aneurysms who were rated at Hunt and Hess Grades 1 or 2 were operated on within 1 to 3 days after the hemorrhage and treated with nimodipine, 2 mg/hr, given intravenously. In these patients, CO2 vasoreactivity was tested during the second week after the hemorrhage, when the middle cerebral artery velocity was increased by at least 50% of the initial value or more. Nimodipine was then discontinued and, 48 hours later, when the middle cerebral artery velocity was still in the same range, CO2 vasoreactivity was tested again. Two months later, after full recovery from the subarachnoid hemorrhage and normalization of the velocities, a third measurement of CO2 reactivity was obtained as a baseline control. No significant effect of nimodipine on CO2 vasoreactivity could be demonstrated in any of the test periods. In the second week after a subarachnoid hemorrhage, a significant reduction of the cerebrovascular response to CO2 was found (P less than 0.005).     

Superimposition of urethral closure pressure profiles using urethral electric conductance measurements

The external urethral meatus (EUM) was located on the urethral closure pressure profile by simultaneous measurement of the urethral electric conductance profile. The EUM was further used as a reference point for accurate superimposition of urethral closure pressure profiles.     

Observations on the function of the female urethra: I: relation between maximum urethral closure pressure at rest and urethral hypermobility

AIMS: To study the relation between maximum urethral closure pressure at rest and urethral hypermobility in female patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We selected 255 patients aged 20 years and older, with a stable bladder on multichannel urodynamics, without known neurological pathology, and without a history of pelvic or anti-incontinence surgery. A resting urethral pressure profile and the degree of urethral hypermobility were registered. Two-tailed analyses of variance (ANOVA) with Fisher's post-hoc tests were used to detect any statistically significant difference (P < 0.05) in urethral closure pressure between groups with varying degrees of urethral hypermobility. RESULTS: Mean age was 45.6 +/- 12.7 (range 20-77) years. Mean maximum urethral closure pressure for the entire group was 62.7 +/- 29 (range 10-150) cm of water. A statistically significant inverse relationship was found between age and maximum urethral closure pressure (r = 0.489, P < 0.0001) when both analyzed as continuous variables, and with age categorized in 10-year increments (P < 0.0001). When comparing mean urethral closure pressure in each group examined for urethral hypermobility, a statistically significant difference was noted when grades I, II, and III were compared to grade 0 hypermobility. No significant difference was observed when grades I, II, and III were compared to each other. Even if statistically non-significant, there exists an inverse relationship between the degree of urethral hypermobility and the maximum urethral closure pressure: a higher hypermobility is associated with a lesser urethral closure pressure. CONCLUSIONS: Urethral closure pressure falls significantly when urethral hypermobility is present. This decrease is not related to patient's age or parity. Our observations demonstrate an inverse relation between urethral closure pressure and the degree of cysto-urethrocele. As hypermobility increases, closure pressure decreases, even if this decrease does not reach the level of statistical significance.     

Effect of the rate of delivery of lignocaine gel on patient discomfort perception prior to performing flexible cystoscopy

Flexible cystoscopy is commonly performed under local anaesthesia. Instillation of lignocaine gel is commonly associated with urethral discomfort, which in some cases results in fierce opposition to further flexible cystoscopy under local anaesthesia. Although studies have demonstrated that the temperature of lignocaine can influence the level of discomfort experienced, to date no study has investigated the influence of the rate of lignocaine delivery on perceived discomfort. We therefore performed a prospective, randomised study to investigate this in patients undergoing flexible cystoscopy. One hundred consenting men were randomised to receive 11 ml of 2% lignocaine hydrochloride gel over either 2 or 10 s. The groups were well matched for age. After instillation of the gel, the patients were immediately asked to score their discomfort using a visual analogue scale. The discomfort experienced by patients that received the gel over 10 s was significantly (p < 0.05; Student's t test) less than those that received it over 2 s. This was irrelevant of the age of the patient and the number of previous cystoscopies performed. We have demonstrated that slow administration results in decreased discomfort. This may, in turn, reduce the need to resort to general anaesthesia, which is associated with increased morbidity and cost.     

Cystourethrometric findings in patients with detubularized right colonic segment for bladder replacement

Urodynamic evaluation was performed in 13 men 4 to 18 months after cystoprostatectomy and bladder replacement using a detubularized right colonic segment. All patients are continent by day and only 3 are incontinent during the night to a degree that necessitates use of a condom catheter. Two patients awaken every 2 to 3 hours to void and the remainder have nocturia comparable to normal men of their age. The residual volume was 0 to 70 ml. The urethral closure pressure was normal, and in 3 patients studied preoperatively and postoperatively no significant change was observed other than shortening of the profile length. Maximal flow rates were normal although the pattern was intermittent. In 2 patients no cystoplasty contractions were recorded and in all but 2 patients the amplitude of the contractions was less than 40 cm. water. Simultaneous bladder and urethral pressure recordings during bladder filling demonstrated no change in urethral pressure in 10 patients. Although creation of a reservoir with a low pressure and careful preservation of the infraprostatic urethra are important for continence in these patients, we believe that the absence of normal sacral route reflexes after cystoprostatectomy is an important contributing cause to nocturnal incontinence.