Modifications of the urethral rest and stress profiles after different types of surgery for urinary stress incontinence

Summary. Full urodynamic assessment, including urethral profiles at rest and under stress, using microtransducers, was made before and at least 6 months after surgery for urinary stress incontinence in 86 patients. Cure was assessed objectively. Procedures compared were Burch colposus-pension, Pereyra urethrovesical suspension and anterior colporrhaphy. The Burch colposuspension increased the pressure transmission ratio more efficiently than the vaginal operations and the cure rate was 91%. Only 50% of Pereyra operations were successful and success was related to an increase in the functional urethral length and in the pressure transmission ratio. The success rate for anterior colporrhaphy was 57% and was associated with a significant decrease in the maximal urethral closure pressure and the continence area. The prognostic value of the urethral profiles at rest and under stress and the therapeutic implications are discussed.