The effect of bilateral pudendal blockade on the static urethral closure function in healthy females.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effect of bilateral pudendal blockade on the urethral closure function in the resting state in healthy women.

METHODS

Synchronous measurements of pressure and cross-sectional area were recorded at the bladder neck, in the high-pressure zone, and in the distal urethra before and after the pudendal blockade in ten women.

RESULTS

The blockade reduced the resting pressure significantly (P < .01) all along the urethra. The viscoelastic indices of elastance (reciprocal of compliance) and hysteresis (difference in pressure at a given degree of urethral dilation when this is increased and decreased stepwise) were significantly (P < .05) reduced.

CONCLUSIONS

The striated muscles innervated by the pudendal nerve are of paramount importance for the closure function in the resting state all along the urethra. Urethral elastance and hysteresis seem to depend on activity in the surrounding striated muscle fibers.