Fibroid surgery and improvement in bladder symptoms: The FAB study

Uterine fibroids are the most common tumor of the female reproductive tract [Baird et al Am J Obstet Gynecol. 188:100-107, 2003] and bladder symptoms are more prevalent in these women [Pron et al Fertil Steril. 79:112-119, 2003; Volkers et al Am J Obstet Gynecol. 196:519.e1-e11, 2007] However, the effect of various fibroid debulking surgeries on different types of urinary incontinence symptoms is poorly understood. Our primary objective was to determine whether surgical debulking of uterine fibroids affects urinary symptoms. Secondary objectives were: to define the baseline prevalence of bladder symptoms in women undergoing fibroid surgery; to explore links between fibroid characteristics, size of debulked fibroids, type of surgery, and postoperative changes in bladder function.

Prospective cohort study (2011-2016) of women undergoing vaginal or abdominal myomectomy or hysterectomy. Baseline demographics were obtained. All women underwent a detailed pelvic ultrasound preoperatively. The Urinary Distress Inventory (UDI) questionnaire of the validated Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory (PFDI) was administered before and 6 weeks after surgery. Score changes were assessed using Wilcoxon signed rank test.

Sixty-one women completed the study. At baseline, regardless of fibroid characteristics, 96.6% of women had various bothersome urinary symptoms including storage, voiding, and incontinence. Following surgical fibroid debulking, median improvement in the UDI total score was clinically and statistically significant at 39.9 (P < 0.001). All urinary subscale scores were also significantly improved. 11/17 women (64.7%) and 11/18 women (61.1%) were cured of moderately to severely bothersome symptoms of urge and stress urinary incontinence respectively.

Urinary symptoms are common in women undergoing surgery for uterine fibroids. Fibroid debulking may be offered as treatment for bladder symptoms in symptomatic women.