Miguel Vírseda Chamorro

Objectives: To determine the type of bladder outlet obstruction (BOO) in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD).Material and Method: A case–control study was carried out in 46 patients divided into two groups. Group 1 formed by 23 PD patients with BOO (a URA parameter ≥ 29 cm H₂O). Group 2 formed by 23 patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and compressive obstruction (an opening pressure > 35 cm H₂O) and URA parameter ≥ 29 cm H₂O). Both groups underwent a pressure‐flow study to calculate Dynamic Urethral Resistance Relationship (DURR) patterns. Based on previous research, we describe two types of DURR pattern. Pattern A typical of dynamic or functional obstruction and pattern B typical of static or organic obstruction.Results: We found that PD patients had a significantly higher frequency of pattern A (70%) than BPH patients (4%). Other significant differences between groups were age (greater in PD group), bladder compliance (greater in PD group), maximum flow rate [Q_max (greater in BPH group)], maximum detrusor pressure [P_max (greater in BPH group)], detrusor pressure at maximum flow rate [PQ_max (greater in BPH group)], opening detrusor pressure (greater in BPH group), and the bladder contractility parameters BCI and W_max (greater in BPH group). There were no significant differences in perineal voiding electromyography (EMG) activity between groups nor relationship between voiding EMG activity and the type of DURR pattern.Conclusions: Our results are consistent with the usefulness of the DURR pattern to differentiate between functional and organic BOO in PD patients. Most PD patients have functional obstruction although a minority has organic obstruction consistent with BPH.

Objective: To analyze the role of urodynamic dysfunctions as risk factors for recurrent urinary tract infections (rUTIs) in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). Material and methods: We conducted a prospective cohort study of 170 patients with MS who underwent a urodynamic study due to lower urinary tract symptoms. Patients were followed for one year, and 114 (84 women [74%] and 30 men [26%]; mean age 49 years) completed the study. Clinical variables and urodynamic findings (free uroflowmetry, cystometry, and pressure-flow study results) were recorded. Results indicated rUTIs was present in 37 patients (32%). Statistical analysis was performed using Fisher’s exact test, chi-square test, Student’s t-test, and multivariate regression analysis. Results: In univariate analysis, significant differences were observed between patients with and without rUTIs for the following clinical variables: symptom progression time, MS duration, Expanded Disability Status Scale score, and MS type. Regarding urodynamic findings, significant differences were observed in maximum flow rate (Qmax) (lower in patients with rUTIs), voided volume, bladder voiding efficiency, stress urinary incontinence (SUI) (greater rUTI frequency in affected patients), detrusor pressure at maximum flow, and bladder contractility index score. Multivariate analysis identified the urodynamic factors: low Qmax [Odds Ratio (OR) = 0.90 and SUI (OR = 2.95) as the independent predictors of rUTs. Conclusions: Two urodynamic variables: Qmax and SUI, are independent risk factors for rUTIs in MS patients. These two variables might be associated with Pelvic floor dysfunctions.

(1) Background: Male stress incontinence in patients with previously treated urethral or bladder neck stricture is a therapeutic challenge. The efficacy and safety of the adjustable trans-obturator male system (ATOMS) in these patients is unknown. (2) Methods: All patients with primary ATOMS implants in our institution between 2014 and 2021 were included. The outcomes of patients with previously treated urethral or bladder neck stricture (≥6 months before ATOMS implant) and stable 16Ch urethral caliber were compared to those without a history of stricture. The primary endpoint was the dry patient rate, defined as the pad test ≤ 20 mL/day, and complication rate, including device removal. The secondary variable was self-perceived satisfaction using the Patient Global Impression of Improvement (PGI-I) scale. Wilcoxon rank sum test, Fisher’s exact test and logistic regression were performed. (3) Results: One hundred and forty-nine consecutive patients were included, twenty-one (14%) previously treated for urethral or bladder neck stricture (seven urethroplasty, nine internal urethrotomy and five bladder neck incision). After ATOMS adjustment, 38% of the patients with treated stricture were continent compared to 83% of those without (p < 0.0001). After weighted matched observations using propensity score pairing, the proportion of continent patients without a previous stricture was 56% (p = 0.236). Complications occurred in 29% of the patients with stricture and in 20% of those without (p = 0.34). The severity of the complications was distributed evenly among the groups (p = 0.42). Regarding self-perceived satisfaction with the implant, 90% of the patients with stricture perceived the results satisfactorily (PGI-I 1–3) compared to 97% of the rest (p = 0.167). Stricture was associated with radiotherapy (p < 0.0001) and time from prostatectomy to implantation (p = 0.012). There was a moderate correlation between previous stricture and the severity of incontinence, both evaluated according to the 24-h pad test (Rho = 0.378; p < 0.0001) and the ICIQ-SF questionnaire (Rho = 0.351; p < 0.0001). Multivariate analysis for the factors predictive of failure after ATOMS adjustment revealed previous stricture (OR 4.66; 95% CI 1.2–18.87), baseline 24-h pad test (per 100 mL, OR 1.28; 95% CI 1.09–1.52) and final cushion volume (per mL, OR 1.34; 95% CI 1.19–1.55). This model predicted dryness with an AUC of 92%. After the PSMATCH procedure using a propensity score, the model remained unchanged, with the previous stricture (OR 8.05; 95% CI 1.08–110.83), baseline 24-h pad test (per 100 mL, OR 1.53; 95% CI 1.15–2.26) and final cushion volume (per mL, OR 1.45; 95% CI 1.17–2) being independent predictors and an AUC of 93%. (4) Conclusions: ATOMS can be used to treat male stress incontinence in patients with a history of stricture, although the effectiveness of the device is reduced. On the other hand, the security and perceived satisfaction were equivalent for both groups.

Aims: To analyze the prevalence and risk factors for postoperative lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in women submitted to robot-assisted sacrocolpopexy (RASC) for correction of pelvic organ prolapse (POP). Methods: A longitudinal prospective study was carried out on 51 consecutive women who underwent RASC to treat POP. We recorded preoperatively the presence of LUTS urgency, symptomatic stress urinary incontinence (SUI), and voiding difficulty. We also performed an urodynamic study prior to surgical intervention including an incontinence test for overt and occult stress urinary incontinence (with POP reduction). A transobturator suburethral sling (TOT) was implanted in patients with demonstrable urodynamic SUI (overt or occult). Patients' LUTS were reassessed at 6 months after the surgical intervention. McNemar test and the Fisher exact test were used to analyzing dependent variables and Student’s t - test for independent variables. Statistical significance was set at p ≤ 0.05. Results: Postoperative voiding difficulty and symptomatic SUI were significantly reduced. No significant differences were observed in the postoperative prevalence of urgency. The presence of preoperative urinary urgency was the only significant risk factor of postoperative urgency, whereas TOT placement was the only significative factor associated with postoperative symptomatic SUI. TOT placement in patients with occult SUI significantly reduced postoperative Symptomatic SUI. Conclusion: RASC reduces the prevalence of voiding difficulty but not urgency. Concomitant implantation of TOT in patients with preoperative urodynamic SUI (overt or occult) is useful to reduce symptomatic postoperative SUI.

Objective: To assess changes in voiding phase, especially urethral resistance after post‐prostatectomy urinary incontinence (PPI) treatment with the Adjustable TransObturator Male System (ATOMS).Material and Methods: A longitudinal prospective study was performed on 45 men treated with ATOMS for PPI, with the intention to evaluate the changes produced by the implant on the voiding phase. Patients with preoperative urodynamic study were offered postoperative urodynamic evaluation, and both studies were compared. The following urodynamic date were evaluated: maximum voiding detrusor pressure, detrusor pressure at maximum flow rate, maximum flow rate (Qmax), voiding volume, post‐void residue, bladder outlet obstruction index (BOOI), urethral resistance factor (URA), and bladder contractility index (BCI). The statistical analysis used were the mean comparison test for dependent groups (Student's t test) for parametric variables and the Wilcoxon test for non‐parametric variables. The signification level was set at 95% bilateral.Results: A total of 37 patients (82.2%) used zero pads/day at the time of urodynamic postoperative evaluation and pad‐test evolved from 592 ± 289 ml baseline to 25 ± 40 ml (p = 0.0001). Significant differences were observed in Qmax (15 ± 8.3 before and 11 ± 8.3 after surgery; p = 0.008), voiding volume (282 ± 130.7 before and 184 ± 99.92 after surgery). BOOI (−12 ± 23.9 before and −2 ± 21.4 after surgery; p = 0.025) and BCI (93 ± 46.4 before and 76 ± 46.0 after surgery; p = 0.044). In no case did we observe postoperative bladder outlet obstruction, according to URA parameter below 29 cm H₂O in all cases. There was not a significant variation either in post‐void urinary residual volume (15 ± 47.4 before and 14 ± 24.2 after surgery, p = 0.867).Conclusions: The ATOMS implant induces a decrease of Qmax, voided volume, and bladder contractility and an increase of BOOI. However, our findings suggest that ATOMS device does not cause bladder outlet obstruction.

(1) Background: The Adjustable Transobturator Male System (ATOMS) device is increasingly used to treat post-prostatectomy incontinence as it enhances residual urinary sphincteric function and allows continence recovery or improvement by dorsal compression of the bulbar urethra through a fixed transobturator mesh passage. The mode of action and the profile of the patients with best results are not totally understood. (2) Methods: Intraoperative urethral pressure measurements at different filling levels of the ATOMS device show increased urethral resistance and enhanced residual sphincteric activity. We evaluated whether the pattern of urethral pressure change secondary to serial progressive intraoperative filling of the cushion can predict postoperative results after ATOMS placement. (3) Results: The regression analysis showed a significant direct relationship between cushion volume and intraurethral pressure (p = 0.000). The median intraurethral pressure at atmospheric pressure was 51 ± 22.7 cm H2O, and at atmospheric pressure plus 4 mL was 80 ± 23.1 cm H2O). Cluster analyses defined a group of patients (n = 6) formed by patients with a distensible urethra and 100% continence after adjustment in contrast to another group (n = 3) with rigid urethras and 33% continence after adjustment. (4) Conclusions: As a part of its continence mechanism, the ATOMS device leads to continence by increasing intraurethral pressure owing to the stretching effect on the urethral wall caused by cushion filling that increases urethral resistance.