Ces Urol 2006, 10(3):18-23 | DOI: 10.48095/cccu2006018

Multichannel urethral profilometry in diagnosing incontinence: a clinical study

F. Záťura, R. Vrtal

Urologická klinika FN a LF UP v Olomouci

Objective: To evaluate the effect of the position of the measuring catheter opening in the urethra during urethral pressure profilometry.

Material and methods: Fifty-six patients with incontinence underwent four-channel urethral profilometry with a specially designed device. The parameters of maximum urethral closure pressure (MUCP) and functional urethral length (FUL) were evaluated statistically. In addition, a new parameter of ?maximum circumferential pressure? was proposed.

Results: A statistical analysis in 38 and 35 patients with stress incontinence revealed that the distribution pattern of MUCP in individual measuring positions could not be considered even. Using confidence intervals, an estimate of the positions in which mean MUCP values occurred was set at 277° (CI 95 %). The tests performed to evaluate the functional urethral length showed statistically significant differences at the level of significance of alpha = 0.05. Thus, the distribution pattern of functional urethral length in individual measuring positions cannot be considered even.

Conclusion: Measurement of the urethral pressure profile in a single measuring position of the catheter opening with respect to the urethral circumference is not of sufficient validity and may even result in diagnostic error.

Keywords: urodynamics, urethral pressure profile, UPP, incontinence, multichannel profilometry

Published: June 1, 2006