Urogynae Flashcards
Key features of a urogynae history
Bladder symptoms - Incontinence - Nocturia - Haematuria - Voiding dysfunction
Bowel
POP
Quality of life
Sexual function
Treatment trial to date
Stage of POP
POP-Q
Examination
Abdominal exam
Vaginal exam- POP-Q at maximal
Investigations
Urinalysis and MSU
Bladder diary (for 3 days)
Bladder scan for residual volume (RV ≥100ml considered abnormal)
Quality of life questionaries (SF-36 or i-QOL)
Ultrasound
- adnexal pathology
- ET
- Cervical length
Urodynamics
Indications for urodynamics
- Pure SUI can be managed surgically without confirmatory urodynamics prior
Indications for urodynamics:
- Unclear diagnosis
- Invasive surgical interventions are being considered, as choice of procedure is influenced by urodynamic results
- Coexisting pathologies to determine which should be treated first, such as obstruction and detrusor overactivity, or stress incontinence and detrusor overactivity
- Complex problems such as recurrent incontinence, neurological pathology, previous lower urinary tract surgery, pelvic surgery or pelvic radiation.
- (NICE 2019)
Pressure measures in urodynamic studies
- Intravesical pressure (pves) is the pressure within the bladder and is measured by the bladder catheter. It is the sum of the pressure generated by the bladder (detrusor pressure pdet) and the intra-abdominal pressure (pabd).
- Abdominal pressure (pabd) is measured by the rectal catheter.
- Detrusor pressure (pdet) is the pressure generated by the bladder muscle. In ‘subtraction’ urodynamics (the commonest type) it is calculated electronically using the equation: pdet = pves – pabd.
Explain the phases of urodynamic studies
- Uroflowometry (assess flow/volume)- A graph of flow rate (ml/s) against time (s) is recorded, which is normally continuous and bell-shaped. The maximum flow rate (Qmax) should be above 15 ml/s. The volume voided should be more than 200 ml for the test to be valid.
- Cystometry (assess pressures) - This part of the test diagnoses detrusor overactivity, urodynamic stress incontinence and records bladder sensations at different bladder volumes.
- The filling phase: assesses bladder sensation and presence of detrusor overactivity (an involuntary contraction of the detrusor muscle) as well as bladder compliance (the ability of the bladder to store urine at low pressures).
- The voiding phase uses pressure-flow measurements to assess detrusor function and identify obstruction. Pressure flow nomograms can be used and a high pressure/low flow voiding pattern indicates obstruction. Urine flow rate is measured in mL/sec by a urine flowmeter
How is bladder sensation assessed?
Bladder sensation is assessed by recording the volume at which the patient experiences:
- the first sensation of bladder fullness
- the first desire to void,
- a strong desire to void and urgency.
What is leak point pressure?
Lowest bladder pressure (pves) that causes urine leakage with a rise in intra-abdominal pressure. Estimated by valsalva or cough.
Measure of urethral sphincter weakness. A lower leak point pressure indicates worse urethral function.
What is uroflowmetry?
Measures the flow of urine (fastest flow is Qmax):
How fast, how much, and how long it takes.
A slow/low flow rate may mean there is an obstruction at the bladder neck or in the urethra, or a weak detrusor contraction.
A fast or high flow rate may mean there are weak muscles around the urethra, or urinary incontinence problems.
Filling cystometry, normal result
Describe this picture:
Unprovoked rises in detrusor activity
Sensation to void and urgency
suggestive of detrusor overactivity
Approach to urodynamics
Explain the parasympathetic innervation of the bladder
Parasympathetic afferents arise from S2-4 and travel via pelvic plexus and pelvic nerve to stimulate bladder contraction, by ACh release which acts on M3 muscarinic receptors in the detrusor muscle.
They cause internal urethral sphincter relaxation by release of nitric oxide and detrusor contraction.
Explain the sympathetic innervation of the bladder
Sympathetic nerves arise from T10-L2 and travel via the pelvic plexus and hypogastric nerve. They release noradrenalin which acts on a-adrenoreceptors causing contraction of the internal urethral sphincter and inhibiting parasympathetic effects on bladder, causing relaxation of detrusor.
Diagram of sympathetic and PNS innervation of bladder
Overactive bladder management
- Lifestyle/conservative
- Reduce caffeine
- Avoid bladder irritants - fizzy drink, artificial sweeteners
- Advise re fluid intake 1.5-2L
- Change of medication e.g diuretics
- Bladder training with timed voiding
- Medical
- Ovestin if atrophy
- Anticholinergics e.g. oxybutinin or tolterodine (contraindicated in narrow angle glaucoma, SE: dry mouth, blurred vision, constipation) or vesicare/solifenacin 2nd line and better tolerated
- Desmopressin if significant nocturia
- Surgical
- Intravesical botox (1st line)
- Sacral nerve neuromodulation (2nd line)
- Augmentation cystoplasty (3rd line)
- Urinary diversion (4th line)
Stress incontinence management
Conservative
- Weight loss if BMI>30
- Reduce fluid intake 1.5-2L, modify fluids
- pelvic PT - 3 months guided strengthening exercises
- Electrical stimulation and/or biofeedback should be considered in women who cannot actively contract pelvic floor muscles in order to aid motivation and adherence to therapy
- Ring pessary with knob
Medical
- Ovestin if signs atrophy
- Duloxetine 40mg BD (if surgery contraindicated or declined)
Surgical
- Support bladder neck
- Burch Colposuspension (pfannenstiel or laparoscopic approach; 2-4 pairs of non-absorbable suture between paravaginal fascia and coopers ligament either side of urethra)
- Retropubic Mid urethral sling - (autologous rectus fascial sling or mesh sling)
- Only offer transobturator tape if retropubic approach is unfeasible
- Augment urethral closure
- Urethral bulking agents (bulkamid)
- Artificial urinary sphincter
Conservative management of pelvic organ prolapse
- Lifestyle:
- Pelvic floor exercises
- Weight loss
- Stop smoking
- Manage chronic cough or constipation
- Vaginal oestrogen if vaginal atrophy
- Physiotherapy referral - 16 week program of directed exercise recommended by NICE (first line Rx if stage 1 or 2 prolapse)
- Pessary
- Follow-up every 6 months if high risk of complications (i.e. if not able to remove and replace at home)
Pathogenesis of POP
- Damage to levator ani
- Decreased muscle tone and strength, atrophy
- Widened levator hiatus
- Unopposed intra-abdominal pressure on tissues
- Connective tissue stretches over time
- POP
Describe the POP-Q measurement sites
What are the aims of surgical management for POP?
- Relieve symptoms
- Restore anatomy
- Improve visceral function
- Improve sexual function
- Lifetime risk for prolapse surgery 11%
- Increased to 16% if hysterectomy
Mesh complications?
- Mesh erosion/exposure (8-15%)
- Chronic pelvic Pain – may be unprovoked and at rest
- Dyspareunia (10%)
- Scarring/strictures
- Fistula formation
Pt should be informed:
- Complications may happen even years down the line
- May need return to theatre for complications
- Complications can be difficult to treat
- It may not be possible to remove mesh in entirety
- Even after removal, symptoms may persist