Do peri-operative changes in voiding function and pelvic organ mobility predict improvement in urgency urinary incontinence following prolapse surgery?

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate whether peri-operative changes in voiding function, pelvic organ descent and urethral mobility predict improvement in urgency urinary incontinence (UUI) following prolapse surgery.

METHODS

A retrospective study of women undergoing prolapse surgery without a history of or without a concomitant anti-incontinence surgery at a tertiary unit between 2005 and 2019. All patients underwent a pre- and post-operative standardised interview, POP-Q examination, uroflowmetry and 4D translabial ultrasound. Post processing of ultrasound volume data was performed to assess pelvic organ descent and functional urethral anatomy.

RESULTS

The datasets of 123 women were analysed. Mean follow-up was 5.5 months (SD 3.2). Mean age was 61 years (SD 11.7). UUI was reported by 68 before and 44 after operation (p = 0.001 for the reduction). Among those with pre-operative UUI, 34 reported cure of UUI, 20 improvement, 9 no change and 5 worsened UUI after their operation. De novo UUI was reported in 11. Fifty-seven women reported voiding dysfunction before and 32 after operation (p = 0.09 for the reduction). Abnormal uroflowmetry was noted in 63 women before and 37 after operation (p = 0.003 for change). On binary logistic regression, improved/cured UUI was associated with improved subjective voiding function (p = 0.003) and reduced residual urine volume (p = 0.02), but not with peri-operative changes in pelvic organ descent or functional urethral anatomy.

CONCLUSION

Prolapse surgery resulted in short- to medium- term improvement in UUI. This was associated with subjective improvement in voiding function and with a reduction in post-void residual urine volume.

SUMMARY: Prolapse surgery was associated with improvement in UUI which in turn was associated with subjectively improved voiding and reduced residual urine volume.