Incontinent women have altered pelvic floor muscle contraction patterns.

Purpose: Pelvic floor exercises are invaluable for regaining continence but mechanisms are not fully understood. To contribute to the understanding of these mechanisms we investigated the contraction sequence of superficial vs deep pelvic floor muscles in 6 positions in continent and incontinent women.

Materials And Methods: The onset of contraction of the superficial and deep pelvic floor muscles was recorded by perineal and intravaginal surface electromyography in 32 continent and 50 incontinent women.

Clinical evaluation of pelvic floor muscle function in continent and incontinent women.

Aims: The aim of the study was to investigate the reliability of a scoring system for the investigation of voluntary and reflex co-contractions of abdominal and pelvic floor muscles in lying, sitting, and standing positions in continent and incontinent women.

Methods: A visual inspection and digital (strength, tone, speed, and endurance) palpation scale was developed to measure the coordination of the lower abdominal and pelvic floor muscles. Inter-observer reliability of the scales was investigated in 40 continent and 40 incontinent women.

Cadaver fascia lata sling in the treatment of intrinsic sphincter weakness.

Eight older women with stress incontinence caused by intrinsic urethral weakness underwent sling surgery with allogenic fascia lata. The tolerance of the material was excellent. In 1 case a secondary release of the fixation on the pecten was necessary because of too much tension; in the other cases the evolution was uneventful and resulted in perfect continence lasting for at least 2 years of follow-up.

A critical view on the value of urodynamics in non-neurogenic incontinence in women.

The requirements for reliable urodynamics are standardized techniques, including uniform pressure sensors, filling rates, position and posture during the investigation, and uniform diuresis. Physiological variations in flow and urethral pressure profile (UPP) (menstrual cycle, intensity of coughing, circadian variations) must be considered. Parameters of the UPP (maximum (closure) urethral pressure, pressure-transmission ratio and leak-point pressure) are useful if interpreted with caution.

Surgical correction of vesicoureteral reflux: 5-year follow-up with 99Tcm-DMSA scintigraphy.

Aim: To evaluate kidney function before and after surgical correction of vesicoureteral reflux. The long-term effect was measured with quantitative nephro-scintigraphy using 99Tcm labelled dimercaptosuccinic acid (99Tcm-DMSA).

Methods: Forty-five children with a history of urinary tract infections due to vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) were studied.