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Change of external urethral sphincter function in prostatic patients.
K Yasuda1, K Nagashima, N Murayama
1Department of Urology, School of Medicine, Chiba University, Japan.
Urologia Internationalis
|January 1, 1991
Summary
Benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH) can impair external urethral sphincter function by reducing bladder neck elasticity. This study found increased alpha-adrenergic receptors contribute to this inhibition in BPH patients.
Area of Science:
- Urology
- Physiology
Background:
- Benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH) is a common condition in aging men.
- Chronic urinary retention is a potential complication of BPH.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of BPH on external urethral sphincter function.
- To explore the role of alpha-adrenergic receptors in BPH-associated sphincter dysfunction.
Main Methods:
- Urodynamic examination of external urethral function in patients with BPH and chronic urinary retention.
- Comparison with healthy volunteers.
- Pharmacological challenge with phentolamine to assess alpha-adrenergic receptor involvement.
Main Results:
- Patients with BPH showed impaired prevoiding drop in external urethral sphincter pressure compared to volunteers.
- A subset of BPH patients (6/13) lacked this prevoiding pressure drop and exhibited higher bladder neck opening pressure.
- Phentolamine administration normalized sphincter pressure dynamics in most BPH patients, indicating alpha-adrenergic receptor mediation.
Conclusions:
- Increased alpha-adrenergic receptors in hypertrophied prostates reduce tissue elasticity.
- This reduced elasticity inhibits normal external urinary sphincter function, contributing to urinary retention in BPH.