Dynamics of pelvic floor muscle functional parameters and their correlations with urinary incontinence in men after radical prostatectomy

• Published in: Neurourology and urodynamics Vol. 36; no. 1; pp. 126 - 131
• Main Authors: Zachovajevienė, Brigita, Šiupšinskas, Laimonas, Zachovajevas, Pavelas, Milonas, Daimantas
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Wiley Subscription Services, Inc 01.01.2017
• Subjects: Aged; Catheters; Endurance; endurance and strength of pelvic floor muscles; Exercise Therapy; Humans; Incontinence Pads - utilization; Male; Middle Aged; Muscle Strength; Muscle, Skeletal - physiopathology; Pelvic Floor - physiopathology; Physical Endurance; Postoperative Complications - physiopathology; Prostatectomy - adverse effects; Prostatic Neoplasms - surgery; radical prostatectomy; Surgery; Urinary Catheterization; urinary incontinence; Urinary Incontinence - etiology; Urinary Incontinence - physiopathology; Urinary Incontinence - therapy; urinary incontinence; radical prostatectomy; endurance and strength of pelvic floor muscles
• ISSN: 0733-2467; 1520-6777
• DOI: 10.1002/nau.22887

Aims To evaluate the dynamics of pelvic floor muscle strength, endurance, and urinary incontinence in a 6‐month period in men after radical prostatectomy and to determine correlations between pelvic floor muscle strength, endurance, and urinary incontinence. Methods Forty‐two men with prostate cancer treated with radical prostatectomy participated in the study. Pelvic floor muscles parameters were evaluated using the anal perineometer. An 8‐hour pad test was used with the catheter removed. Results The greatest change in strength occurred during the last 3 months, i.e., from the third to the sixth month following surgery (P ≤ 0.05). The average amount of urinary incontinence on the day of catheter removal was approximately 311 g per 8 hr. Urinary incontinence decreased by 93.6% from the day of catheter removal 6 months later. A strong correlation (P ≤ 0.001) of reverse dependence was determined between pelvic floor muscle strength before surgery and the amount of urinary incontinence 6 months following surgery. Conclusion The greatest change of pelvic floor muscles strength and endurance occurred during the third to the sixth month following surgery. The greatest change in urinary incontinence occurred during the first month following surgery. Pelvic floor muscle strength causes a greater decrease in urinary incontinence than endurance. The greater the pelvic floor muscle strength before surgery, the lower the amount of urinary incontinence. Age also affects pelvic floor muscle strength and endurance; this relation gradually weakens and with age disappears. Neurourol. Urodynam. 36:126–131, 2017. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.