title: Preoperative urodynamic assessment in patients with spinal cord lesions undergoing sphincterotomy: is success predictable?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Sphincterotomy is a well-established therapeutic option in male patients with neurogenic bladder dysfunction and detrusor-sphincter-dyssynergia due to spinal cord lesions. Indication and prediction of treatment outcome, however, are mainly based on clinical parameters. We analyzed the clinical usefulness of preoperative urodynamic evaluation for the prediction of success in patients undergoing external sphincterotomy.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a retrospective study, residual urine, retrograde perfusion pressure (RESP) and detrusor leak point pressure (DLPP) in 62 male patients with spinal cord injury were assessed before sphincterotomy. Data were compared to surgical success evaluated by postoperative DLPP and residual urine.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Sphincterotomy was successful in 85.4% of our patients. In multivariate analysis, both preoperative DLPP and RESP were superior to measurement of residual urine concerning prediction of surgical success. However, these differences were not statistically significant.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  To our knowledge, this is the first study to evaluate preoperative predictors for surgical success in patients undergoing sphincterotomy. Although urodynamic evaluation is strongly advised prior to surgery in patients with spinal cord lesions, it improves prediction of success only marginally.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurourology, Swiss Paraplegic Center, Nottwil, Switzerland. juergen.pannek@paranet.ch
authors.forename: Juergen
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pannek
authors.forename: Roger
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hilfiker
authors.forename: Konrad
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Goecking
authors.forename: Ulf
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Bersch
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011300:Preoperative Care; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000150:complications; D001750:Urinary Bladder, Neurogenic / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D014563:Urodynamics; D013520:Urologic Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods; D055815:Young Adult