Anterior colporrhaphy does not induce bladder outlet obstruction

We aimed to evaluate if anterior colporrhaphy causes incomplete voiding due to bladder outlet obstruction.

Women scheduled for anterior colporrhaphy were asked to undergo multichannel urodynamic investigation before surgery and the first postoperative day. Bladder outlet obstruction was assessed using the Blaivas–Groutz voiding nomogram. Maximum flow rate, detrusor pressure and residual volume were compared between pre- and postoperative measurements and between women with and without an abnormal post-void residual volume (PVR; volume exceeding 150 ml).

Seventeen women participated. One woman who was unobstructed before surgery was obstructed after surgery. Overall, detrusor pressure and maximum flow rate before and after surgery did not differ. After surgery, six women had an abnormal PVR, one was unable to void, four were mildly obstructed and one moderately obstructed.

Urodynamic investigation the first day after anterior colporrhaphy did not show that anterior colporrhaphy induces bladder outlet obstruction. The explanation for postoperative urinary retention can therefore also lie in nonanatomical causes such as postoperative pain and psychological factors.