Comparison of microtransducer and fiberoptic catheters for urodynamic studies.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the validity and reproducibility of a fiberoptic transducer urodynamic catheter for urethral closure pressure profiles and leak point pressure determination, using a microtransducer catheter as the standard.


METHODS
Ninety women without significant pelvic organ prolapse underwent urodynamic evaluations with both fiberoptic and microtransducer catheters. Maximal urethral closure pressures and "leak point pressures" were repeatedly measured by the two catheters and statistically compared. The order of catheter use was randomized.


RESULTS
Significantly lower mean maximal urethral closure pressures were recorded by the fiberoptic system than by the microtransducer system (28.9 cmH(2)O +/- 17.3 versus 43.2 cmH(2)O +/- 24.9, P <.001). The fiberoptic catheter predicted microtransducer values for maximum urethral closure pressure only within a range of 27 cmH(2)O. Mean "leak point pressure" recorded by the fiberoptic catheters (66.9 cmH(2)O +/- 2.9) was not significantly different than that recorded by the microtransducer catheters (66.4 cmH(2)O +/- 2.9, P =.97).


CONCLUSIONS
There is a significant difference between maximum urethral closure pressure values recorded by the microtransducer and fiberoptic catheter systems. No significant difference was found between the two systems in measurement of Valsalva "leak point pressure."
Culligan
P J
PJ
Evanston Continence Center, Division of Urogynecology and Reconstructive Pelvic Surgery, Northwestern University Medical School, Evanston Northwestern Healthcare, Evanston, Illinois, USA. pculligan@louisville.edu
Goldberg
R P
RP
Blackhurst
D W
DW
Sasso
K
K
Koduri
S
S
Sand
P K
PK
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D005336:Fiber Optic Technology; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011312:Pressure; D011446:Prospective Studies; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D014160:Transducers, Pressure; D014521:Urethra / Q000503:physiopathology*; D014546:Urinary Catheterization / Q000295:instrumentation*; D014550:Urinary Incontinence, Stress / Q000175:diagnosis*; D014563:Urodynamics