Urinary Incontinence and Pelvic Organ Prolapse.

Area of Science:

• Urogynecology
• Pelvic reconstructive surgery

Background:

• Pelvic floor disorders (PFDs) frequently coexist due to multifactorial pathophysiology.
• Up to 54% of women with pelvic organ prolapse (POP) also report stress urinary incontinence (SUI).

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight the intricate relationship between POP and SUI.
• To emphasize the importance of presurgical planning for pelvic reconstructive procedures.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature on the pathophysiology and clinical presentation of coexistent PFDs.
• Analysis of the impact of POP repair on SUI symptoms.

Main Results:

• POP is a significant risk factor for concurrent SUI.
• Apical and anterior POP can mask SUI, leading to de novo SUI postoperatively.
• SUI symptoms may become apparent only after POP surgical correction.

Conclusions:

• Pelvic reconstructive surgeons must carefully evaluate the potential for SUI in women with POP.
• Discussing concurrent vs. staged anti-incontinence procedures is crucial for informed patient consent.
• Strategic surgical planning can mitigate the risk of de novo SUI following POP repair.