In a nutshell
This study looks at the effectiveness of ultrasound pelvic floor muscle training (US-PFMT) to restore urinary continence after prostate surgery. It concluded that this type of pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) is quicker to restore urinary continence after prostate surgery than traditional PFMT.
Some background
Urinary incontinence (UI) is loss of bladder control. Symptoms can range from mild leaking to uncontrollable wetting. It can happen to anyone, but it becomes more common with age. Most bladder control problems happen when muscles are too weak or too active. But there can be other causes too, such as prostate problems and nerve damage.
Prostate removal can cause UI. Prostate removal involves the removal of prostate tissue if there is too much of it or if the tissue is cancerous. This surgery often causes urinary problems. Prostate removal can be performed by a surgeon or a robotic device. Many men will perform PFMT to try and strengthen the pelvic floor muscles after prostate surgery. This can take a substantial amount of time. PFMT can be done with an ultrasound. This ultrasound allows the physician to tell a patient when they have the correct muscles working during PFMT. This allows the patient to learn what correct PFMT feels like.
Methods & findings
116 were recruited before they had robot assisted prostate removal. 36 men agreed to have US-PFMT before surgery. 80 men did not agree to have US-PFMT. All of the men had verbal instructions on PFMT after the surgery. Patients were assessed for the number of days they had to use a small pad after surgery. Patients were assessed at 1 month, 3 months and 6 months after surgery.
In the 36 men who had US-PFMT, recovering urinary continence took 75.6 days. In the 80 men who had regular PFMT, recovering urinary continence took 121.8 days. Within 1 month of surgery, 52.8% of the US-PFMT patients and 35.4% of the PFMT patients had recovered continence.
The bottom line
This study concluded that US-PFMT before prostate surgery helps speed up continence recovery after surgery.
The fine print
The authors note that the actual severity of urinary incontinence in patients was not measured. This may affect the study's results.
What’s next?
If you are interested in learning more about US-PFMT, contact your doctor.
Published By :
Neurourology and urodynamics
Date :
Oct 30, 2018
