Cough Maneuvers Research Articles

Is pressure transmission quality during cystometry dependent on the type of effort?

The International Continence Society (ICS) recommends a control of the good pressure transmission by a coughing effort during cystometry. While poor transmission is sometimes observed in routine practice, other maneuvers can also be proposed. The main objective of this study was to determine if there is a better maneuver to evaluate the pressure transmission ratio between the abdominal cavity and the bladder. We performed a prospective, consecutive, single-center study in a tertiary neuro-urology department in 31 subjects. During a cystometry, each patient was asked to perform at 0ml and 100ml of bladder filling, a cough effort, an abdominal push and a Valsalva maneuver controlled by a manometer. The value of the bladder pressure to abdominal pressure ratio was collected manually. The average variations were compared between each maneuver for the same volume of replenishment and between the 2 volumes of replenishment studied. At 0ml of filling, the difference in pressure variation between the Pves and the Pabd is significantly higher during the cough maneuver compared to the Valsalva (P=0.015), which is not found at 100ml of filling. During bladder filling, the pressure transmission ratios during the 3 maneuvers are equivalent. Coughing or abdominal thrusting, which are easier to perform than the Valsalva maneuver, should be recommended to check the quality of the recording during cystomanometry.

Laryngeal electromyography, a useful tool in difficult cases of pediatric laryngeal mobility disorders

IntroductionPediatric laryngeal mobility disorders constitute a challenge in terms of diagnosis and treatment, especially in small children and those complex patients with prior history of prolonged intubation or surgery. Laryngeal electromyography (L-EMG) may help to distinguish vocal fold paralysis from fixation. Material and methodsTen children with laryngeal mobility disorders (including bilateral vocal fold immobility (BVFI) or unilateral vocal fold immobility (UVFI) with contralateral hypomobility) underwent suspension laryngoscopy and L-EMG between July 2019 and March 2021. The EMG data were acquired simultaneously in both thyroarytenoid muscles. Anesthesia was lightened until volitional activity appeared like cough, cry or spontaneous Valsalva maneuver. ResultsWe found secondary airway lesions in 2 patients and 3 vocal fold fixation. L-EMG recordings were pathologic in 4 patients (3 moderate and 1 severe nerve lesion). No recurrent laryngeal nerve injury was found in congenital BVFI cases. The data from both suspension laryngoscopy and L-EMG recordings influenced clinical decision-making. ConclusionsL-EMG adds value to suspension laryngoscopy in the management of pediatric patients with laryngeal mobility disorders. Selected cases such as patients with iatrogenic BVFI, UVFI with associated contralateral hypomobility or patients with combined pathologies may obtain the greatest benefit.

Influence of wearing masks on exhaled air aerodynamics

Since aerosol inhalation is the most common mechanism for COVID-19 infection, the respiratory protective devices (RPDs) have the highest importance in personal protection. The aim of this study was to assess the efficiency of 10 different RPDs in shortening the travelling distance of exhaled air by range measurement using the schlieren imaging technique. When a RPD is worn by a person resting in a seated position, the expired air does not exceed the human convective boundary layer (CBL). Instead, the CBL lifts the expired aerosols vertically up. Thus, they have a prolonged travelling time in the surrounding air and become less harmful by several mechanisms of virus content decay. Coughing as well as expiration valves can cause far reaching expiration air clouds that cross horizontally the human CBL by opening leakage airway corridors into different directions. Measured by the range of expired air an FFP2 mask provided high security under all conditions tested. A non-vented full-face mask with two viral filters performed even better because of its airtight fit and the excellent filtering capacity of the viral filters during inspiration and expiration, even during cough manoeuvres.

Directed cough manoeuvres in the early period after open abdominal surgery

IntroductionPostoperative pulmonary complications are a common cause for morbidity and mortality after open abdominal surgery (OAS). Incisional pain and restrictive lung dysfunction may impair cough effectiveness, leading to secretion retention. Ineffective cough is a most important factor in the development of postoperative pulmonary complications. The aim of this study was to determine the most effective directed cough manoeuvre early after OAS.MethodsThe study involved 41 patients (19 females, 22 males; median age: 44.0 years) who underwent OAS. Cough effectiveness was assessed by measuring peak cough flow on the 1st postoperative day with a portable flow meter in 4 different cough manoeuvres: (1) baseline cough 1: patients were asked to cough as effectively as possible; (2) supported cough; (3) supported cough after maximum inspiration; (4) baseline cough 2. Pain intensity during the measurements was evaluated with the Visual Numeric Scale (0–10).ResultsWhen the 4 cough conditions were compared, peak cough flow was significantly different (<i>p</i> < 0.001). This difference was due to the superiority of supported cough after maximum inspiration in comparison with the other 3 manoeuvres (<i>p</i> < 0.001). Pain did not significantly differ among the 4 measurements (<i>p</i> = 0.869).ConclusionsCoughing with abdominal support after maximum inspiration in a semi-recumbent position provides the most effective cough flow after OAS, without increasing incisional pain intensity. Patients who underwent OAS should be encouraged to practise this manoeuvre in the early postoperative period in order to help bronchial drainage and prevent postoperative pulmonary complications.

Quantitative evaluation of aerosol generation during manual facemask ventilation.

SummaryManual facemask ventilation, a core component of elective and emergency airway management, is classified as an aerosol‐generating procedure. This designation is based on one epidemiological study suggesting an association between facemask ventilation and transmission during the SARS‐CoV‐1 outbreak in 2003. There is no direct evidence to indicate whether facemask ventilation is a high‐risk procedure for aerosol generation. We conducted aerosol monitoring during routine facemask ventilation and facemask ventilation with an intentionally generated leak in anaesthetised patients. Recordings were made in ultraclean operating theatres and compared against the aerosol generated by tidal breathing and cough manoeuvres. Respiratory aerosol from tidal breathing in 11 patients was reliably detected above the very low background particle concentrations with median [IQR (range)] particle counts of 191 (77–486 [4–1313]) and 2 (1–5 [0–13]) particles.l‐1, respectively, p = 0.002. The median (IQR [range]) aerosol concentration detected during facemask ventilation without a leak (3 (0–9 [0–43]) particles.l‐1) and with an intentional leak (11 (7–26 [1–62]) particles.l‐1) was 64‐fold (p = 0.001) and 17‐fold (p = 0.002) lower than that of tidal breathing, respectively. Median (IQR [range]) peak particle concentration during facemask ventilation both without a leak (60 (0–60 [0–120]) particles.l‐1) and with a leak (120 (60–180 [60–480]) particles.l‐1) were 20‐fold (p = 0.002) and 10‐fold (0.001) lower than a cough (1260 (800–3242 [100–3682]) particles.l‐1), respectively. This study demonstrates that facemask ventilation, even when performed with an intentional leak, does not generate high levels of bioaerosol. On the basis of this evidence, we argue facemask ventilation should not be considered an aerosol‐generating procedure.

Pulmonary Function Testing in the Coronavirus Disease Era: Lessons and Opportunities.

Pulmonary Function Testing in the Coronavirus Disease Era: Lessons and Opportunities.

Cough-independent production of viable Mycobacterium tuberculosis in bioaerosol

BackgroundSymptoms of infectious respiratory illnesses are often assumed to drive transmission. However, production and release of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) bioaerosols is poorly understood. We report quantitation of Mtb exhaled during specific respiratory manoeuvres. MethodsDirect capture of nascent bioaerosol particles and indirect collection of aged particles was performed in 10 healthy subjects. Indirect and direct capture of exhaled viable Mtb bacilli was compared in 38 PTB patients and directly captured viable Mtb during cough and bronchiole-burst manoeuvres in 27 of the PTB patients. ResultsDirect sampling of healthy subjects captured larger bioaerosol volumes with higher proportions of 2–5 μm particles than indirect sampling. Indirect sampling identified viable Mtb in 92.1% (35 of 38) of PTB patients during 60-min relaxed breathing, median bacillary count 7.5 (IQR: 3.25–19). Direct sampling for 10-min identified Mtb in 97.4% (37 of 38) of PTB patients with higher bacilli counts (p < 0.001), median 24.5 (IQR:11.25–37.5). A short 5-min sampling regimen of 10 coughs or 10 bronchiole-burst manoeuvres yielded a median of 11 (IQR: 4–17) and 11 (IQR: 7–17.5) Mtb bacilli, respectively (p = 0.53). ConclusionsPeripheral lung bioaerosol released through deep exhalations alone contained viable Mtb suggesting non-cough transmission is possible in PTB.

Cough maneuver is superior to Valsalva maneuver for detecting mild-extent right-to-left shunt

Objective: The purpose of this study was to explore the different provocative maneuvers in detecting right-to-left shunt during contrast transthoracic echocardiography (cTTE). Methods: We evaluated 378 patients for right-to-left shunt detection by cTTE at the quiet respiration, during Valsalva maneuver (blowing into a face mask connected to a sphygmomanometer at 40 mmHg for 10 s), and during cough maneuver, performed in random order, and the degree of right-to-left shunt as the number of microbubbles in the left atrium per frame after each provocative maneuver was recorded. Results: The detection rates of right-to-left shunt for quiet respiration, Valsalva maneuver, and cough maneuver were 16%, 33%, and 38%, respectively (p < .001). The detection rate for cough maneuver was significantly higher than that for Valsalva maneuver (p < .001). There was no significant difference between Valsalva maneuver and cough maneuver in terms of detecting moderate- or severe-extent right-to-left shunt (p > .05), but cough maneuver was significantly better than Valsalva maneuver at detecting mild-extent right-to-left shunt (p = .001). Conclusions: Cough maneuver is an effective alternative to Valsalva maneuver, with a higher detection rate for mild-extent right-to-left shunt during cTTE, maybe due to its own mechanical characteristics.

Endotracheal tube cuff pressure change: Proof of concept for a novel approach to objective cough assessment in intubated critically ill patients

PurposeCough strength assessment aids in predicting extubation failure. Peak expiratory flow rate during cough manoeuvre (CPF) is the gold-standard tool and flow rates of <60l/min suggest risk of failed extubation. We aimed to assess endotracheal tube cuff pressure change (ΔPcuff) as a novel method of objective cough strength assessment in intubated patients considered for extubation. Materials and MethodsPaired measurements of CPF and ΔPcuff were sampled during cough manoeuvres by intubated recovering critically ill patients. Spearman's correlation was used to assess agreement between the variables. Categorical data and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis were undertaken to assess discriminating ability of ΔPcuff to identify low CPF. ResultsIn total, 42 patients yielded 81 paired measurements. Paired samples with the highest CPF per patient had a correlation coefficient of 0.74. The composite of all samples had a correlation coefficient of 0.77. Regression analysis showed CPF=60l/min equates to ΔPcuff=28cmH2O with categorical analysis using these cut-offs showing significant dependence between the variables (p = 0.000001). ROC curve analysis identified an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.9 [95% CI (0.84, 0.97)], with optimal sensitivity and specificity of ΔPcuff at 20cmH2O. ConclusionsWe identified a good correlation between CPF and ΔPcuff. Our research showed that overall discriminating ability of ΔPcuff in identifying CPF <60l/min was excellent. Further studies, looking at ΔPcuff and extubation outcomes are required to establish clinical utility.

Respiratory muscle activation and action during voluntary cough in healthy humans

Cough is a defensive airway reflex consisting of a modified respiratory act which involves the sequential activation of several laryngeal and respiratory muscles. The contraction of the latter results in thoraco-abdominal volume variations in order to provide enough amount of air available, the operating volume (OV), to be expelled. Because both posture and OV could influence muscular activation and thoraco-abdominal displacements during voluntary cough, we aimed to verify if and how they play a role during inspiratory (ICP) and expiratory (ECP) cough phases, in terms of flow, volumes and surface electromyography activity (sEMG). In 10 healthy subjects, we measured sEMG of 7 muscles (scalene, sternocleidomastoid, parasternal, intercostal, diaphragm (assessed at the 8th intercostal space), external abdominal oblique and rectus abdominis) in supine and seated position during cough maneuvers performed at 4 different OV measured by opto-electronic plethismography: total lung capacity (TLC), functional residual capacity and two intermediate volumes. The amplitude of sEMG signals tended to be maximal at TLC (p < 0.005) during ICP in the neck and parasternal muscles and during ECP in abdominal muscles. Postures slightly affected only sEMG of the thoracic muscles. sEMG data were similar (p > 0.05) in the other OV, but cough peak flow increased with OV. Thoraco-abdominal volume variations during cough were unaffected by posture and OV as well, being predominantly thoracic (supine: 60 and 64%; seated: 68 and 69%, respectively during ICP and ECP).Our results suggest that voluntary cough OV or posture do not have an important effect on voluntary cough that seems more likely to be resulting from a motor mechanism that activates a synergetic antagonistic contraction of inspiratory and expiratory muscles leading to a specific thoraco-abdominal pattern, in which the rib cage is the predominant.

Airway Management and Ventilator-Associated Events.

Airway management techniques are aimed at reducing complications associated with artificial airways and mechanical ventilation, such as retained secretions. The impact of airway management techniques on ventilator-associated events (VAEs) varies considerably by modality. Closed-suction techniques are generally recommended but have limited, if any, impact on VAEs. Normal saline instillation during suctioning is not recommended. Devices designed specifically to remove biofilm from the inside of endotracheal tubes appear to be safe, but their role in VAE prevention is uncertain. Subglottic secretion clearance by artificial cough maneuvers is promising, but more research is needed to assess its clinical feasibility. Continuous cuff-pressure management appears to be effective in reducing microaspiration of subglottic secretions.

Value of the cough maneuver for detecting right-to-left shunt during contrast transthoracic echocardiography.

To explore the value of cough maneuver (CM) in detecting right-to-left (RLS) during contrast transthoracic echocardiography (cTTE) and its mechanism. We enrolled 196 patients with a high level of clinical suspicion of RLS underwent cTTE for RLS detection. Valsalva maneuver (VM) (blowing into a face mask connected to a sphygmomanometer at 40mmHg for 10seconds) and CM were performed to provoke RLS, respectively. A comparison of the two provocative maneuvers in terms of the RLS-detection rate, the degree of RLS, the mobility of septum primum was done. The detection rates of RLS for CM were significantly higher than that for VM (38.3% vs 32.1%), (P<0.001). There was no significant difference between VM and CM in terms of detecting moderate- or severe-extent RLS (P>0.05), however, CM was significantly better than VM in detecting mild-extent RLS (P=0.004). CM caused a greater mobility of septum primum than VM (20.1±0.2mm vs 6.3±0.1mm), (P<0.001). Cough maneuver had a higher detection rate for RLS than VM during cTTE, maybe due to its greater mobility of septum primum than VM caused.

An Artificial Cough Maneuver to Remove Secretions From Below the Endotracheal Tube Cuff.

Endotracheal suctioning is mandatory to prevent complications caused by the retention of tracheal secretions. Endotracheal suctioning is often performed late, when patients show signs of respiratory and hemodynamic alterations. We conceived a prototype device that, when synchronized with the ventilator, automatically removes secretions collected below the endotracheal tube (ETT) cuff, thus avoiding endotracheal suctioning. The aim of our investigation was to assess the performance of this novel prototype in vitro. Three studies were performed to examine the characteristics of the prototype. We tested device's ability to generate an effective artificial cough flow (artificial cough maneuver) > 1 L/s by rapidly deflating the ETT cuff within the time of a sustained inflation (at 30 and at 40 cm H2O) (cough flow study). We also tested the prototype's ability to remove the fluid positioned below the ETT cuff using saline dye (fluid removal study), and to prevent the aspiration of saline dye from above the ETT cuff during the deflation phase of the ETT cuff (aspiration study). The trachea model was positioned at 45° in the aspiration study, and horizontally in the other two studies. In the cough flow study, the prototype provided an effective artificial cough maneuver, with a mean ± SD of 1.78 ± 0.19 L/s (range, 1.42-2.14 L/s). The tracheal pressure after ETT cuff deflation never decreased below the PEEP level. In the fluid removal study, the prototype cleared the fluid from below the ETT cuff and the experimental trachea. No fluid was aspirated from the area above the ETT cuff toward the lower airways. We conceived an system capable of automatically expelling fluid from below the ETT cuff outside an experimental trachea by generating an artificial cough maneuver. This system may decrease the use of endotracheal suctioning and its complications. Future in vivo studies are needed to confirm this first in vitro evaluation.

Genioglossus activation during maximal sniff manoeuvres: Is upper airway function relevant in the clinical assessment of inspiratory and expiratory muscle strength?

Genioglossus activation during maximal sniff manoeuvres: Is upper airway function relevant in the clinical assessment of inspiratory and expiratory muscle strength?

Rectal, central venous, gastric and bladder pressures versus esophageal pressure for the measurement of cough strength: a prospective clinical comparison

BackgroundCough pressure, an expression of expiratory muscle strength, is usually measured with esophageal or gastric balloons, but these invasive catheters can be uncomfortable for the patient or their placement impractical. Because pressure in the thorax and abdomen are expected to be similar during a cough, we hypothesized that measurement at other thoracic or abdominal locations might also be similar as well as useful in clinical scenarios. This study aimed to compare cough pressures measured at thoracic and abdominal sites that could serve as alternatives to esophageal pressures (Pes).MethodsNine patients scheduled for laparotomy were asked to cough as forcefully as possible from total lung capacity in supine position. Three cough maneuvers were performed while Pes (the gold standard) as well as gastric, central venous, bladder and rectal pressures (Pga, Pcv, Pbl, and Prec, respectively) were measured simultaneously. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was used to evaluate the repeatability of the measurements in each patient at each site and evaluate agreement between alternative sites (Pga, Pcv, Pbl, and Prec) and Pes. Bland–Altman plots were used to compare Pes and the measurements at the other sites.ResultsMedian (first quartile, third quartile) maximum pressures were as follows: Pes 112 (89,148), Pga 105 (92,156), Pcv 102 (91,149), Pbl 118 (93,157), and Prec 103 (88,150) cmH2O. The ICCs showed excellent within-site repeatability of the measurements (p < 0.001) and excellent agreement between alternative sites and Pes (p < 0.004). The Bland–Altman plots showed minimal differences between Pes, Pga, Pcv, and Prec. However, Pbl was higher than the other pressures in most patients, and the difference between Pes and Pbl was slightly larger.ConclusionsCough pressure can be measured in the esophagus, stomach, superior vena cava or rectum, since their values are similar. It can also be measured in the bladder, although the value will be slightly higher. These results potentially facilitate the assessment of dynamic expiratory muscle strength with fewer invasive catheter placements in most hospitalized patients, thus providing an option that will be particularly useful in those undergoing thoracic or abdominal surgery.Trial registrationNCT02957045 registered at November 7, 2016. Retrospectively registered.

Spinal bracing and lung function in type-2 spinal muscular atrophy.

Respiratory muscle weakness associated with scoliosis in type-2 spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) leads to respiratory impairment. Spinal brace, generally utilized to slow scoliosis progression and support sitting, could worsen lung function and hamper cough maneuvers. Six home-treated type-2 SMA children (aged 6-15 years, subtype 2.1-2.5) were assessed to evaluate time-dependent influence of "static-balanced brace" on pulmonary function. Lung function tests, including peak expiratory flow (PEF), peak cough flow (PCF), maximal static inspiratory pressure (MIP), maximal static expiratory pressure (MEP), forced vital capacity (FVC), were performed. PEF, MEP, FVC parameters were higher in tests after wearing braces three-hours, PCF slightly higher and MIP slightly lower compared to upon awakening values. "Static-balanced brace" did not impair lung function in our sample of six type-2 SMA children; in addition, it seemed to support cough maneuvers. Double assessment is determinant for decisions concerning use/non-use of brace differently from the usual one time evaluation procedure (base level compared to level wearing brace).

Trans-Obturator Tape Operation Using MONARC Technique (Outside-In Technique) --- Revisited Objective And Subjective Assessment

Objective: This study was undertaken to describe and evaluate the outcome of trans-obturator tape (TOT) operation using Outside-In technique without cystoscopy. This procedure was carried out either solely or as a part of pelvic reconstructive surgery. Design: Retrospective cohort study with follow up objective and subjective assessment. Population: 84 women were presented with urodynamic stress incontinence at North Cumbria NHS Trust. They were treated with transoturator tape operation using outside-in technique between the years 2007 and 2008. Method: Eighty-four women underwent trans-obturator tape operation (outside-in technique) without cystoscopy. Diagnosis of stress urinary incontinence (SUI) was made by uro-dynamic studies. They were all operated only by a single surgeon. The mean length of follow-up was 6 months. Operative complications were recorded. The anatomic integrity of urethra, the anterior vaginal wall was objectively assessed at follow up visit. Subjective assessment was made during patient consultation. Objective failure was defined as persistence of urodynamic stress urinary incontinence. Subjectively, failure was defined mainly as persistence of stress incontinence symptoms. Other related symptoms are noted like voiding difficulties and sexual dysfunction. Results: In the study data eighty four women underwent a TOT operation. The mean age was 50 years (38-63). Pre-operatively, of those 84 patients, SUI was diagnosed in 62 patients while mixed urinary symptoms were present in 22 patients. Transobturator tape operation was carried out using MONARC subfacial hammock system in all women. Additional pelvic surgical procedures were performed according to the presence of other pelvic defects. No intraoperative complications were recorded. The estimated blood loss was 125 mL (range, 50-200 mL). None of the patient had suspected bladder or urethral injury intraoperatively. Transient urinary retention was observed in 8% (n= 7) of women in immediate postoperative period. Three women developed urinary tract infection in immediate postoperative period and in one woman urethral pus was noted which resolved with the help of oral antibiotics. Postoperative objective assessment was made with speculum examination and stress provocation tests like cough and valsalva manoeuvres. There was no stress incontinence on stress provocation tests. Two women developed de novo urge incontinence that was treated with anticholinergics. Two complained of worsening urge incontinence symptoms and none of the women having concurrent urge incontinence symptoms showed any improvement in their urge incontinence symptoms. The overall subjective success rate was 92% (n= 77). Six women judged themselves to be improved in terms of stress incontinence but were still wearing protection, although less, to avoid any urinary leakage. One woman gave history of prickling sensation in the vagina after the procedure at her follow-up visits, from 6 weeks to 9 months although she was reassured and that prickling sensation resolved at 9 month follow-up. Conclusion: Transobturator tape operation (outside-in technique) without cystoscopy seems an effective and safe treatment of urodynamic stress incontinence. It has a good subjective and objective outcome. A large study may be required to confirm the results.

Ultrasonographic evaluation of urethrovesical junction mobility: correlation with type of delivery and stress urinary incontinence.

A relationship between urinary incontinence and hypermobility of the urethrovesical junction (UVJ) during pregnancy has been described. The aim of the study was to compare the effects of vaginal delivery (VD) and caesarean section (CS) on UVJ mobility. The retrovesical angle (RVA) and the anterior angle between the UVJ and the pubic bone, the pubovesical angle (PVA), were evaluated ultrasonographically in controls and pregnant women during their first pregnancy between 38 and 40 weeks, and then re-evaluated 6 weeks and 6 months after delivery. All patients completed a validated questionnaire (ICIQ-SF). Differences between and within groups were assessed with Student's t test, the chi-squared test for trend, and one-way two-tailed analysis of variance with Scheffé's post-hoc test. The correlation between PVA and RVA was evaluated using the Spearman R correlation. The positive predictive value, negative predictive value, sensitivity and specificity for the prediction of stress urinary incontinence (SUI) symptoms were also determined. Included in the study were 42 controls and 217 pregnant women. PVA at rest, during cough and Valsalva manoeuvre was significantly higher in pregnant women than in controls and in women 6 weeks after VD in comparison with women who had undergone CS. Patients affected by SUI showed a significantly higher PVA. RVA did not differ between subjects affected or not by SUI symptoms. PVA and RVA were not correlated with each other. PVA and RVA are increased in pregnant women in comparison with controls. In patients undergoing VD, PVA is restored significantly later than in those undergoing CS. The change in RVA after pregnancy and delivery seems to persist longer than the change in PVA.

Measurement of dynamic urethral pressures with a high-resolution manometry system in continent and incontinent women.

Female stress urinary incontinence is caused by urethral dysfunction during dynamic conditions, but current technology has limitations in measuring urethral pressures under these conditions. An 8-French high-resolution manometry (HRM) catheter currently in clinical use in gastroenterology may accurately measure urethral pressures under dynamic conditions because it has a 25-millisecond response rate and circumferential pressure sensors along the length of the catheter (ManoScan ESO; Given Imaging, Yoqneam, Israel). We evaluated the concordance, repeatability, and tolerability of this catheter. We measured resting, cough, and strain maximum urethral closure pressures (MUCPs) using HRM and measured resting MUCPs with water-perfusion side-hole catheter urethral pressure profilometry (UPP) in 37 continent and 28 stress-incontinent subjects. Maneuvers were repeated after moving the HRM catheter along the urethral length to evaluate whether results depend on catheter positioning. Visual analog pain scores evaluated the comfort of HRM compared to UPP. The correlation coefficient for resting MUCPs measured by HRM versus UPP was high (r = 0.79, P < 0.001). Repeatability after catheter repositioning was high for rest, cough, and strain with HRM: r = 0.92, 0.89, and 0.89. Mean MUCPs (rest, cough, and strain) were higher in continent than in incontinent subjects (all P < 0.001) and decreased more in incontinent subjects than in continent subjects during cough and strain maneuvers compared to rest. This preliminary study shows that HRM is concordant with standard technology, repeatable, and well tolerated in the urethra. Incontinent women have more impairment of their urethral closure pressures during cough and strain than continent women.

Dynamic maximum urethral closure pressures measured by high-resolution manometry increase markedly after sling surgery.

The premise of midurethral sling (MUS) surgery is to apply a tension-free vaginal tape in the midurethra that does not constrict the urethra at rest but stabilizes the urethra and prevents downward descent and opening of the urethra during stress maneuvers, but current technology has limitations in measuring urethral pressures during dynamic conditions. Our objective was to describe the change in maximum urethral closure pressures (MUCPs) after MUS surgery using an 8F high-resolution manometry (HRM) system that can measure urethral pressures during cough and strain maneuvers (ManoScan® ESO; Covidien) without migration or withdrawal limitations. We measured rest, cough, and strain MUCPs in 26 women before and after retropubic or transobturator MUS for stress urinary incontinence using the HRM system. The objective success rate after MUS was 92.3 % based on postoperative cough stress testing. Mean resting MUCPs measured by HRM did not change after surgery (59.3 before vs. 59.7 cm H2O after surgery; p = 1.0). Mean cough MUCPs measured by HRM increased from 36.9 to 100.7 cm H2O (p < 0.001), and strain MUCPs increased from 35.0 to 92.7 cm H2O (p < 0.001). Advanced HRM technology to measure MUCPs under cough and strain conditions without withdrawal techniques provides new insights into the continence mechanism after tension-free MUS: MUCPs do not change at rest but do increase significantly during cough and strain maneuvers.