[Urethrovesical morphology in continent women in spinal anesthesia]

To assess the influence of spinal anesthesia on bladder neck position and a clinical stress test in continent women.

In a prospective investigation, 14 women underwent urodynamic, sonographic and clinical assessment during spinal anesthesia. Results were compared to those obtained immediately preoperatively in the same patient.

During spinal anesthesia, the bladder neck was found to be located significantly lower and more posterior, and in 4/7 parous patients (0/7 nullipara) the clinical stress test was positive.

These data provide additional evidence for the importance of neuromuscular function in the etiology of pelvic floor dysfunction and genuine stress incontinence.