Login to Access Video or Poster Abstract: MP40-04
Sources of Funding: none

Introduction

The lack of urethral support is one of the important pathogenesis to explain stress urinary incontinence (SUI). The actual nature of urethra, which is supported by a surrounding structure, may influence SUI. In men, many studies have evaluated the impact of urethral length before radical prostatectomy and found out that continence slowly recovered in men with shorter urethras before surgery. There are currently no studies that have investigated the relationship of female urethral length with SUI, which is the reason why we have performed this study.To evaluate the association between female urethral length and urodynamic study (UDS) parameters in stress urinary incontinence (SUI).

Methods

We reviewed the clinical records of 391 women who were diagnosed with SUI. The patients underwent a physical examination and UDS. Uroflowmetry data included the maximal flow rate (Qmax), time to Qmax, voided volume and post-void residual urine volume (PVR). Filling cystometry data included the first strong desire to void, valsalva leak point pressure (VLPP) and cough leak point pressure (CLPP). The Maximal urethral closure pressure (MUCP) and functional urethral length (FUL) was measured by urethral profile from UDS. And the anatomical urethral length (AUL) was measured using Foley catheter. In order to determine a "actual urethral length", we calculated FUL/AUL ratio for this study.

Results

A total of 299 patients were included in our study. The mean patient age was 57.73 ± 10.18 years. The mean AUL and FUL were 26.89 ± 4.50 cm and 32.20 ± 16.09 cm, respectively. In Pearson correlation coef?cients, FUL/AUL ratio correlated with PVR (-0.064, p= 0.270), VLPP (0.193, p=0.001), CLPP (0.119, p=0.040) and MUCP (0.249. p=<0.001). Multivariate analysis revealed that FUL/AUL ratio (HR 2.452, p=0.001) and MUCP (HR 1.131, p=0.012) were significantly associated with success of surgery.

Conclusions

Our results showed that female urethral length was associated with UDS parameter of SUI. Also it can be used as a significant predictive factor for a successful surgery.

Funding

none