title: Evaluation of early pelvic floor physiotherapy on the duration and degree of urinary incontinence after radical retropubic prostatectomy in a non-teaching hospital.
abstract: The objective of this study was to study the effect of early pelvic floor re-education on the degree and duration of incontinence and to evaluate the results of radical retropubic prostatectomy (RRP) performed in a non-teaching hospital. This is a non-randomised study. From March 2000 to November 2003, 57 consecutive men, who underwent RRP for localized prostate cancer, participated in a pelvic floor re-educating program. Continence was defined as a loss of no more than 2-g urine on the 24-h pad test and no use of pads. The 24-h pad test was performed once in every 4 weeks until the patient indicated that he was continent. Diurnal and nocturnal continence was achieved after 1, 2, 3, 6 and 12 months post catheter removal in 40, 49, 70, 86 and 88% of all men, respectively. Comparison of our results with current literature suggest that the time period towards continence after a RRP can be shortened relevantly if pelvic floor re-education is started directly after catheter removal.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Twente Hospital Group location SMT, P.O. Box 546, 7550 Hengelo, The Netherlands. erikcornel@home.nl
authors.forename: E B
authors.initials: EB
authors.lastname: Cornel
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: de Wit
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Witjes
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D006761:Hospitals; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017773:Pelvic Floor; D011468:Prostatectomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013997:Time Factors; D014549:Urinary Incontinence / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy*