Main outcome measures
The Apv of female SUI patients before and after the TOT were analyzed.
Results When compared with the pre-operative control, the Apv was significantly increased post-operatively. The TOT-enhanced Apv was accompanied by increments in the mean urethra resistance (Rv) and mean voiding pressure (Pv) but unaffected voided volume (Vv) and voiding time (Tv). Moreover, the TOT-induced Apv increase (ΔApv) displayed moderate correlations with the changes in Rv and Pv (ΔRv and ΔPv, respectively) but no correlation with the changes in Vv or Tv (ΔVv and ΔTv, respectively). Notably, the TOT-induced ΔRv displayed a strong correlation with the ΔPv.
Conclusions: The thermodynamic efficacy of the bladder was enhanced after the TOT; that could be attributed to that bladder develops an elevated pressure gradient in response to the TOT-enhanced outlet resistance during urine emission.
Keywords: trans-obturator tape, SUI, thermodynamics, pressure-volume analysis