Pudendal nerve latency time in normal women via intravaginal stimulation.
OBJECTIVE
Studies of motor conduction for the efferent functional assessment of the pudendal nerve in women with pelvic dysfunctions have been conducted through researching distal motor latency times. The transrectal approach has been the classic approach for this electrophysiological examination. The objective of the present study is to verify the viability of the transvaginal approach in performing the exam, to establish normal values for this method and to analyze the influence of age, stature and parity in the latency value of normal women.


METHODS
A total of 23 volunteers without genitourinary pathologies participated in this study. In each, pudendal motor latency was investigated through the transvaginal approach, which was chosen due to patient's higher tolerance levels.


RESULTS
The motor response represented by registering the M-wave was obtained in all volunteers on the right side (100%) and in 13 volunteers on the left side (56.5%). The mean motor latency obtained in the right and left was respectively: 1.99 +/- 0.41 and 1.92 +/- 0.48 milliseconds (ms). There was no difference between the sides (p = 0.66). Latency did not correlate with age, stature or obstetric history. The results obtained in the present study were in agreement with those found by other researchers using the transrectal approach.


CONCLUSIONS
The vaginal approach represents an alternative for pudendal nerve distal motor latency time, with similar results to those achieved through the transrectal approach. Normative values obtained herein might serve as a comparative basis for subsequent physiopathological studies.
Cavalcanti
Geraldo A
GA
Department of Urology, Federal University of Sao Paulo, UNIFESP, Paulista School of Medicine, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil.
Manzano
Gilberto M
GM
Giuliano
Lydia M
LM
Nobrega
Joao A
JA
Srougi
Miguel
M
Bruschini
Homero
H
D000328:Adult; D001003:Anal Canal / Q000294:innervation / Q000503:physiopathology; D004576:Electromyography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009431:Neural Conduction / Q000502:physiology*; D017773:Pelvic Floor / Q000294:innervation*; D011930:Reaction Time; D014549:Urinary Incontinence / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D014621:Vagina