Bladder neck incision for female bladder neck obstruction: long-term outcomes

Urology. 2014 Apr;83(4):762-6. doi: 10.1016/j.urology.2013.10.084.

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the long-term outcomes of bladder neck incision (BNI) for primary bladder neck obstruction in women.

Methods: Eighty-four women were diagnosed on the basis of videourodynamic study. BNI was performed for each patient, with incisions made at 2 different sites on the bladder neck.

Results: Follow-up data were available for 6-78 months (average, 27.4), postoperatively. Successful recovery after BNI without serious complications was achieved in 71 of 84 (84.5%) patients. During follow-up, the mean International Prostate Symptom Score decreased from 22.9 to 7.9 (P <.01). Quality of life decreased from 4.1 to 2.4 (P <.01). The maximum uroflow rate increased from 9.75 to 18.79 mL/s (P <.01). The postvoid residual decreased from 115.11 to 23.29 mL (P <.01). The maximal detrusor pressure at the maximum uroflow rate decreased from 69.61 to 20.48 cm H2O (P <.01). Several complications were identified after surgery, including hemorrhage, re-BNI, vesicovaginal fistula (VVF), stress urinary incontinence (SUI), and urethral stricture. All these complications were grade IIIa in the Clavien Classification of Surgical Complications. Three patients (3.6%) developed a VVF after BNI; these VVFs were repaired successfully. Four (4.7%) patients experienced SUI and recovered after transvaginal tension-free vaginal tape-obturator. Postoperative bleeding was identified in 3 patients (3.6%), and 1 received a blood transfusion. Three (3.6%) patients experienced urethral stricture after BNI and recovered after receiving intermittent urethral dilation.

Conclusion: Primary bladder neck obstruction is uncommon and easily treatable when properly diagnosed by videourodynamic study, and BNI has a high success rate. Careful, sufficiently deep incisions at the 2- and 10-o'clock positions can ensure its success. Complications such as postoperative VVF or SUI can occur and must be actively managed.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Constriction, Pathologic / surgery
  • Cystoscopy
  • Female
  • Fluoroscopy
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Hemorrhage / complications
  • Humans
  • Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms / complications
  • Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms / surgery*
  • Middle Aged
  • Postoperative Period
  • Quality of Life
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Urethral Stricture / complications
  • Urinary Bladder / surgery
  • Urinary Bladder Neck Obstruction / surgery*
  • Urinary Incontinence / complications
  • Urinary Tract Infections / complications
  • Urination Disorders / etiology
  • Urodynamics
  • Urologic Surgical Procedures / methods*
  • Vesicovaginal Fistula / complications
  • Video Recording
  • Young Adult