title: Urodynamic evaluation of the human bladder response to an increase in outlet resistance.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We prospectively evaluated the response of the human bladder to a chronic increase in urethral resistance according to the indices of pressure, volume flow rate, total (external) bladder work, and maximum and average detrusor power.
  
  
  METHODS
  Six men with incontinence after radical prostatectomy were evaluated urodynamically before and 3-6 months after undergoing a bulbourethral sling procedure.
  
  
  RESULTS
  None of the men suffered from significant obstructive or irritative voiding symptoms preoperatively. Urodynamic evaluation showed postoperative increases in both average detrusor pressure and pressure at maximum flow, but there were no significant changes in voided volume, void time, or postvoid residual urine volume. Maximum detrusor power, average detrusor power, and total (external) bladder work were all significantly increased.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These data confirm that the human bladder possesses a functional reserve, which is elicited by an increase in urethral resistance.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Northwestern University School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
authors.forename: Jason D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Engel
authors.forename: Dan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Jacobs
authors.forename: Bogdan
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Konsur
authors.forename: Constantine M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Megaridis
authors.forename: Wade
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Bushman
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009122:Muscle Hypertonia / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011468:Prostatectomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014521:Urethra / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001743:Urinary Bladder / Q000503:physiopathology*; D014549:Urinary Incontinence / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D014563:Urodynamics