The urethral closure mechanism is deteriorated after anterior colporrhaphy

Urethral pressure reflectometry (UPR) has proven highly reproducible in women with pelvic organ prolapse. We hypothesized that urethral parameters would decrease after anterior colporrhaphy.

A prospective, observational study where women with anterior vaginal wall prolapse ≥stage II were assessed before and after anterior colporrhaphy. Assessments consisted of prolapse staging according to the Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification system, UPR measurements at rest, during squeezing and straining (at a standardized abdominal pressure of 50 cmH₂O, P_{O-Abd 50}), standardized stress tests with 300 ml saline, and answering the International Consultation on Incontinence – Urinary incontinence short form. Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) was defined as a positive stress test and a questionnaire with symptoms of SUI and a bother score > 1. Sample size was 30, power was 100% and the level of significance was 5%. We analyzed data with paired t-tests or non-parametric Wilcoxon signed rank tests; p-values <0.05 were considered statistically significant.

Twenty-eight women who underwent anterior colporrhaphy completed the study. P_{O-Abd 50} decreased 12 cmH₂O after surgery (p < 0.0001). Five women developed postoperative SUI and one had persistent SUI; the six women’s preoperative P_{O-Abd 50} was lower than the rest (p < 0.01). If preoperative P_{O-Abd 50} was ≤65 cmH₂O, the positive predictive value for postoperative SUI was 50%, and if P_{O-Abd 50} was ≥85 cmH₂O, the negative predictive value was 100%.

The urethral closure mechanism deteriorates after anterior colporrhaphy. Using UPR, we can calculate a woman’s risk of SUI after anterior colporrhaphy.