Preoperative Valsalva voiding increases the risk of urinary retention after midurethral sling placement

Abstract

A subset of neurologically normal females void by efficient Valsalva, not detrusor contraction. We determined the incidence of urinary retention following midurethral sling (MUS) placement in women that void by detrusor contraction versus Valsalva. Review of patients undergoing MUS insertion between 2002 and 2009 for urodynamic stress incontinence was performed. Women with concomitant pelvic surgery, previous incontinence surgery, or preoperative incomplete bladder emptying were excluded. Patients were divided into two cohorts based on preoperative urodynamic findings--those that voided with a detrusor contraction >10 cm of water and those that voided by Valsalva. One hundred seven patients were available for analysis. The postoperative urinary retention rate was 22% and 5% in the Valsalva and non-Valsalva groups, respectively (p < 0.05). Mean retention duration was 3 weeks for each cohort (range 1-6). Women voiding by Valsalva are at increased risk of urinary retention following MUS placement.