Three-dimensional ultrasound of the urethral sphincter predicts continence surgery outcome

✍ Scribed by G. Alessandro Digesu; Dudley Robinson; Linda Cardozo; Vik Khullar

• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 2009
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 163 KB
• Volume: 28
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0733-2467
• DOI: 10.1002/nau.20566

✦ Synopsis

Abstract

Aim

To assess the predictive value of three‐dimensional (3D) ultrasound volumes of the urethral sphincter in women undergoing continence surgery.

Materials and Methods

Women with urodynamic stress incontinence undergoing to Burch colposuspension were prospectively studied using videocystourethrography (VCU), urethral pressure profilometry (UPP) and a 3D transvaginal ultrasound scan of the urethra. The total urethral sphincter volume, urethral volume, maximum cross sectional area, and rhabdosphincter volume were calculated, preoperatively. Surgical outcome was assessed at 6 months using VCU. Urethral function parameters were correlated to surgical outcomes using the Mann–Whitney U‐test.

Results

Ninety‐one women were studied. Women who failed continence surgery had significantly smaller preoperative urethral sphincter volumes than those who had an objective cure (P < 0.001). UPP parameters were not found to be predictive of surgical outcome (P = 0.5).

Conclusions

The assessment of the urethral sphincter using a 3D ultrasound scan predicts the outcome of continence surgery. Neurourol. Urodynam. 28:90–94, 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.