Urogynaecology Flashcards
How is the bladder function controlled?
External sphincter and pelvic floor muscles maintaining urethral pressure > bladder pressure
Micturition occurs when these muscles relax and bladder detrusor muscle contracts
Neuronal – para aids voiding, symp prevents it
How common is stress incontinence? What is stress urinary incontinence? Causes?
- Commonest urinary complaint, 1 in 10 will suffer
- The involuntary leak of urine on effort or exertion, or on sneezing or coughing.
- The leakage is usually a small discrete amount, coinciding with the physical activity
- Due to urethral sphincter weakness or prolapse of sphincter below pelvic floor
- Increased intra-abdominal pressure transmitted to the bladder but not the urethra. Bladder pressure > urethral pressure when intra-abdominal pressure is raised (e.g. when coughing).
- Causes: pregnancy, oestrogen deficiency at menopause, surgery, radiation
How common is urge incontinence? What is urge urinary incontinence? Causes?
- Common, affects 1 in 6 women
- The involuntary leakage of urine accompanied by, or immediately preceded by, a strong desire to pass urine (void).
- Uncontrolled increases in detrusor pressure increasing bladder pressure beyond that of the normal urethra.
- ‘Overactive bladder’ previously called ‘detrusor instability’ is the most common cause of this mechanism.
- Causes – idiopathic, MS, spina bifida, UMN lesions, surgery
What is mixed urinary incontinence?
• The involuntary leakage of urine associated both with urgency and with exertion, effort, sneezing or coughing.
What is overflow incontinence?
- Occurs when the bladder becomes large and flaccid and has little or no detrusor tone or function.
- This is usually due to injury or insult (e.g. blockage, after surgery or post-partum)
- The condition is diagnosed when the urinary residual is more than 50% of bladder capacity.
- The bladder simply leaks when it becomes full.
When does continuous urinary incontinence occur?
• Classically it is associated with a fistula or congenital abnormality (e.g. ectopic ureter)
Symptoms of urinary incontinence?
Stress - leakage of urine on sneezing, coughing, exercise, rising from sitting or lifting
Urge - urgency and failure to reach toilet, frequency and nocturia possible
Other symptoms to ask:
Frequency during day/night, dysuria, haematuria,, dribbling of urine after leaving toilet, feeling incomplete bladder emptying
Gynae history important in urinary incontinence?
Uterus or not Pre/Postmenopausal Problems with intercourse How many babies - delivery method Smear tests up to date
PMH important in urinary incontinence?
Prolapse symptoms - dragging, feel mass, backache
Constipation
Chronic cough
Diabetes
DH important in urinary incontinence?
Diuretics
Laxatives
Medications for urinary symptoms in past
SH for urinary incontinence?
Caffeine intake Carbonated drinks Alcohol Smoking Ketamine Occupation - heavy lifting?
Examination performed in incontinence?
History including obstetric, sexual and functional status BMI and Urine dipstick & MSU Abdominal and pelvic examination Cough - any leakage? Assess for prolapse Assess for vaginal atrophy VE Smear
Investigations in urinary incontinence?
- Urinalysis and MSU microscopy (culture and sensitivity)
o Exclude UTI - OGTT if diabetes suspected
- Frequency/volume chart
o Should be filled in for 72h and give idea off fluid intake and voiding problems
When should a cystoscopy be performed in urinary incontinence?
o Used to visualise urinary tract
o Indicated if recurrent UTI, haematuria, bladder pain, suspected fistula, tumour
What are the specialist tests performed for urinary incontinence?How do they work?
Urodynamics
o Uroflowmetry
Ability of bladder to store and void urine
Patient voids in private onto commode with urinary flow meter, measuring voided volume over time and plotting graph
o Cystometry
Invasive and involves measuring pressure and volume in bladder during filling and voiding
Bladder filled with saline and intravesical & vaginal/rectal probe measure differences in pressure to give detrusor pressure
Patient first desire to void, strong desire to void and cough
Diagnoses stress incontinence
Initial management of stress urinary incontinence?
Lifestyle interventions • Weight reduction if BMI >30 • Smoking cessation • Reduce caffeine and fizzy drinks • Treatment of chronic cough and constipation
Pelvic floor muscle training
• For at least 3 months
• Exercises continued long-term.
• 8-12 slow maximal contractions sustained for 6-8 seconds each, 3x per day
Follow up 3 months
Follow up management of stress urinary incontinence?
Urodynamics
MDT Meeting
Duloxetine
• SNRI enhances urethral striated sphincter activity via a centrally mediated pathway.
• Dose-dependent decreases in frequency of incontinence episodes
Transvaginal tape
Pharmacological management of stress urinary incontinence?
Duloxetine
• SNRI enhances urethral striated sphincter activity via a centrally mediated pathway.
• Dose-dependent decreases in frequency of incontinence episodes