The early effect of pelvic floor muscle exercise after transurethral prostatectomy

We evaluate the early effect of pelvic floor muscle exercise on the frequency of urination, terminal dribbling, urinary incontinence and satisfaction with life in patients after transurethral prostatectomy.

From February to October 1996, 50 patients who had undergone transurethral prostatectomy were selected for study. The first 25 men served as a control group and the next 25 were the experimental group. Pelvic floor muscle exercise was started after removal of the Foley catheter postoperatively in the experimental group. The patients were evaluated before pelvic floor muscle exercise and weekly at our outpatient department after discharge from the hospital. Results for the later 25 patients treated with the pelvic floor muscle exercise program were compared to those of the prior 25 patients.

There was a statistically significant difference (p <0.05) in the strength of pelvic floor muscle contractions at 4 weeks, length of between void interval (p <0.01), terminal dribbling at week 4 (p <0.05) and urinary incontinence at weeks 3 and 4 between the 2 groups after pelvic floor muscle exercise. During this study no complication or mortality occurred and there were no cases of hospitalization for either group. After pelvic floor muscle exercise patients in the experimental group had better satisfaction with life than the control group (p <0.01).

We conclude that pelvic floor muscle exercise seems to help reduce symptoms within the first 4 weeks after transurethral prostatectomy, and provides better psychological and social quality of life.