Investigation of postprostatectomy problems

Sixty patients presented with postprostatectomy problems. The symptoms of slow stream and hesitancy were associated with the urodynamic finding of an underactive detrusor more often than with persistent obstruction. The symptoms of persistent urgency, frequency, and urge incontinence were associated with bladder hypersensitivity and bladder instability. Stress incontinence was associated with low sphincter pressures demonstrated by urethral profilometry. Urodynamic studies enabled accurate diagnosis of these problems and indicated which patients had persistent obstruction (17 per cent) and would therefore benefit from additional outflow tract surgery.