A comparison of bioelectrical and mechanical activity of the female urethra.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the relationship between mechanical function and innervation of the urethra in order to clarify the effect of denervation and reinnervation on urethral function.


METHODS
Prospective observational study.


METHODS
Tertiary referral urodynamics unit.


METHODS
Thirty-six women, 21 with urinary symptoms and urodynamically proven genuine stress incontinence and 15 without urinary symptoms.


METHODS
All women underwent concentric needle electromyography of the urethral sphincter and urethral pressure profilometry at rest and during cough induced stress.


RESULTS
Significant correlations were found between variables indicating denervation and reinnervation and improved resting urethral function. No correlation was found between these variables and urethral function under stress.


CONCLUSIONS
Our findings contradict current opinion that denervation of the urethral sphincter is associated with a reduction in the sphincteric function of the urethra, at rest or during stress, and suggest that denervation cannot therefore be a major aetiological factor in the development of genuine stress incontinence.
King's College Hospital, London.
C G
CG
Barnick
L D
LD
Cardozo
D000200:Action Potentials; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D004576:Electromyography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011312:Pressure; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014521:Urethra / Q000294:innervation / Q000503:physiopathology*; D014550:Urinary Incontinence, Stress / Q000503:physiopathology*