Detrusor compliance changes after bladder neck sling without augmentation in children with neurogenic urinary incontinence

Purpose: We reviewed preoperative, and initial and final postoperative urodynamic testing in consecutive children undergoing bladder neck sling without augmentation for neurogenic urinary incontinence to determine if progressive loss of compliance occurs.

Materials and methods: We assessed consecutive patients with neurogenic outlet incompetence who underwent 360-degree tight fascial wrap around the bladder neck with appendicovesicostomy but no augmentation. This population comprised all patients undergoing outlet surgery between 2002 and 2007. Inclusion criteria were initial urodynamic test within 1 year postoperatively and final urodynamic test at least 18 months postoperatively.

Results: A total of 26 patients met inclusion criteria. Most patients (73%) had an acontractile bladder with detrusor pressures less than 25 cm H(2)O preoperatively. Initial postoperative urodynamic test at a mean of 7 months was most predictive of subsequent urodynamic findings. Eight patients (31%) had increased detrusor pressures and/or uninhibited contractions postoperatively. Six patients increased anticholinergic therapy dose. At a mean of 39 months urodynamic patterns were either stable or improved in all patients.

Conclusions: Progressive compliance loss was not observed after bladder neck sling without augmentation. Postoperative increases in detrusor pressure and/or uninhibited contractions within 1 year postoperatively should prompt review of anticholinergic therapy rather than enterocystoplasty.