Aim: To assess the predictive value of three-dimensional (3D) ultrasound volumes of the urethral sphincter in women undergoing continence surgery.
Materials and methods: Women with urodynamic stress incontinence undergoing to Burch colposuspension were prospectively studied using videocystourethrography (VCU), urethral pressure profilometry (UPP) and a 3D transvaginal ultrasound scan of the urethra. The total urethral sphincter volume, urethral volume, maximum cross sectional area, and rhabdosphincter volume were calculated, preoperatively. Surgical outcome was assessed at 6 months using VCU. Urethral function parameters were correlated to surgical outcomes using the Mann-Whitney U-test.
Results: Ninety-one women were studied. Women who failed continence surgery had significantly smaller preoperative urethral sphincter volumes than those who had an objective cure (P < 0.001). UPP parameters were not found to be predictive of surgical outcome (P = 0.5).
Conclusions: The assessment of the urethral sphincter using a 3D ultrasound scan predicts the outcome of continence surgery.
(c) 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc.