How Best to Manage the Urethra at the Time of Prolapse Correction

• DOI: 10.1007/s11884-014-0274-3
• Publication Date: 2015-01-27T23:37:17Z
• Authors: Yanira Ortega Gon...; María Antonia Pas...; David Castro-Diaz
• Keywords: 03 medical and health sciences; 0302 clinical medicine; 3. Good health

Pelvic organ prolapse usually is associated with urinary symptoms, especially urinary incontinence. In larger prolapses, the urethra tends to kink and produce mechanical urinary flow obstruction, leading to occult urinary incontinence. A high rate of women with occult urinary incontinence will present with symptoms after prolapse correction if an anti-incontinence procedure is not performed also. It is not yet clear whether both procedures should be performed together, because that approach increases the rate of complications. In our opinion, there is enough evidence to support combined surgery, at least in incontinent women and patients with occult incontinence; however, it is important to inform and advise women about the possible benefits and risks of each option for a joint decision to be made.