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

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

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.

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.

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.