Fluid bridge test in the evaluation of male urinary continence

Graphic documentation of the competence (or incompetence) of the sphincteric regions was attempted in 25 male subjects using the fluid bridge test. The objective of the test was to recognize urodynamically the urinary fluid bolus that escapes through an incompetent outlet and tends to act as a fluid bridge between the bladder and a urethral test point distal to the sphincteric region. Our studies indicate that the fluid bridge test can be included in the urodynamic armamentarium for recognizing the integrity of the proximal and the distal sphincteric regions of the male patient. We herein describe the technique and pitfalls of the interpretation.