[Impact of bladder-neck angle on urination: An application study based on fluid-structure interaction]

Area of Science:

• Urology
• Biomedical Engineering
• Fluid Dynamics

Context:

• The bladder-neck angle (BNA) is a critical anatomical factor influencing lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS).
• Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) commonly affects the prostate and bladder neck, leading to urination difficulties.
• Fluid-structure interaction (FSI) analysis provides a powerful tool to simulate complex physiological processes like urination.

Purpose:

• To investigate the relationship between the bladder-neck angle (BNA) and urinary function in male patients.
• To assess the impact of BNA changes on urine flow dynamics and prostate displacement using FSI simulations.
• To correlate BNA with clinical parameters such as prostate volume and urinary flow rate in patients with and without acute urine retention (AUR).

Summary:

• FSI simulations revealed significant differences in urethral pressure and flow rate between normal and enlarged BNA models.
• Enlarged BNAs led to greater prostate displacement and reduced urethral opening diameter, impacting urination more severely in AUR patients.
• Clinical data analysis showed a strong correlation between BNA and prostate volume, intravesical prostatic protrusion (IPP), and maximum urinary flow rate (Qmax).

Impact:

• The BNA is identified as a key anatomical factor influencing urination and the severity of LUTS in BPH patients.
• Understanding BNA changes can aid in the assessment and management of voiding dysfunction.
• This study highlights the utility of FSI analysis in elucidating the biomechanics of urination and BPH-related symptoms.