Is intrinsic sphincter deficiency a complication of simple hysterectomy?

PURPOSE: Intrinsic sphincter deficiency may cause disabling stress urinary incontinence. While some pelvic operations are implicated as a cause of this condition, simple hysterectomy for benign disease is not recognized as one of them. We evaluated the association of simple hysterectomy with intrinsic sphincter deficiency.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

We performed a case control study to assess the association of simple hysterectomy with intrinsic sphincter deficiency in a consecutive group of 387 incontinent women. From 1995 to 1997 we identified 67 patients with and 67 controls without a history of hysterectomy. Further comparison was done after forming a subgroup at low risk for intrinsic sphincter deficiency. All patients were evaluated by a fluoroscopic urodynamic technique and abdominal leak point pressure was determined.

RESULTS

Intrinsic sphincter deficiency was present in 48% of the 67 patients and 24% of the 67 controls. In the lower risk subgroup we noted this condition in 29 patients (52%) and 53 controls (21%).

CONCLUSIONS

In this population of incontinent women intrinsic sphincter deficiency, as diagnosed by low abdominal leak point pressure, appears to be a complication of simple hysterectomy.