Urethra Archives - Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia
Summary
Rev Bras Ginecol Obstet. 2014;36(7):328-333
DOI 10.1590/SO100-720320140005014
The prevalence of urinary incontinence in diabetic pregnant women is significantly high two years after cesarean section. Incontinence can be the most common consequence of hyperglycemia compared to other complications. Thus, identifying the risk factors for the development of urinary incontinence in diabetes is the major aim in the prevention of this very common condition. Recent surveys have shown that not only muscle but also the urethral extracellular matrix play an important role in the mechanism of urinary continence. Translational work on rats by our research group showed that diabetes during pregnancy damages the extracellular matrix and urethral striated muscle, a fact that may explain the high prevalence of urinary incontinence and pelvic floor dysfunction in women with gestational diabetes mellitus. Diabetes affects the expression, organization and change in extracellular matrix components in different organs, and tissue remodeling and fibrosis appear to be a direct consequence of it. Therefore, understanding the impact of modifiable risk factors, such as diabetes, which involves using preventive strategies, can reduce the rates of urinary incontinence and the health care costs, and improve the quality of life of women, especially during pregnancy and postpartum.
Summary
Rev Bras Ginecol Obstet. 2014;36(7):328-333
DOI 10.1590/SO100-720320140005014
The prevalence of urinary incontinence in diabetic pregnant women is significantly high two years after cesarean section. Incontinence can be the most common consequence of hyperglycemia compared to other complications. Thus, identifying the risk factors for the development of urinary incontinence in diabetes is the major aim in the prevention of this very common condition. Recent surveys have shown that not only muscle but also the urethral extracellular matrix play an important role in the mechanism of urinary continence. Translational work on rats by our research group showed that diabetes during pregnancy damages the extracellular matrix and urethral striated muscle, a fact that may explain the high prevalence of urinary incontinence and pelvic floor dysfunction in women with gestational diabetes mellitus. Diabetes affects the expression, organization and change in extracellular matrix components in different organs, and tissue remodeling and fibrosis appear to be a direct consequence of it. Therefore, understanding the impact of modifiable risk factors, such as diabetes, which involves using preventive strategies, can reduce the rates of urinary incontinence and the health care costs, and improve the quality of life of women, especially during pregnancy and postpartum.
Summary
Rev Bras Ginecol Obstet. 2014;36(5):233-233
Summary
Rev Bras Ginecol Obstet. 2014;36(5):233-233
Summary
Rev Bras Ginecol Obstet. 2013;35(4):159-163
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72032013000400005
PURPOSE: To evaluate the effects of electrical stimulation (ES) of the pelvic floor on the urethra of female rats. METHODS: Forty adult rats were divided at random into four groups of ten animals each: Ctrl - without intervention; Sham - not submitted to ES, but with an electrode inserted into the vagina; Exp6 - submitted to six sessions of ES of the pelvic floor, and Exp12 - submitted to 12 sessions of ES of the pelvic floor. At the end of the experiment, all animals were anesthetized and the middle third of the urethra was removed, fixed in Bouin's fluid and processed for histomorphometric study. Sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin for morphological and morphometric description, and others were stained with picrosirius red for the quantitation of total collagen. The thicknesses of the muscle layer and of the epithelium were determined, in 4 quadrants of the urethra, by performing 20 measurements per animal. The number of blood vessels present in the lamina propria was counted in the four quadrants over an area of 10³ µm² per quadrant and the images were obtained using the image analysis program AxioVision® REL 4.3 (Carl Zeiss). The collagen and muscle fiber ratios in the urethrae were calculated from two images per quadrant of every slice stained with picrosirius red, employing the Imagelab® Program. Data were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) and the Tukey-Kramer multiple comparison test (p<0.05). RESULTS: The morphometry of the collagen, number of blood vessels and thickness of the epithelium showed no significant changes; however, the thickness of the periurethral muscle tissue increased significantly in Exp12 group, compared to the other groups (Exp12*>Exp6==Ctrl==Sham; *p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Prolonged functional electric stimulation of the pelvic floor induced an increase in periurethral muscle thickness in rats.
Summary
Rev Bras Ginecol Obstet. 2013;35(4):159-163
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72032013000400005
PURPOSE: To evaluate the effects of electrical stimulation (ES) of the pelvic floor on the urethra of female rats. METHODS: Forty adult rats were divided at random into four groups of ten animals each: Ctrl - without intervention; Sham - not submitted to ES, but with an electrode inserted into the vagina; Exp6 - submitted to six sessions of ES of the pelvic floor, and Exp12 - submitted to 12 sessions of ES of the pelvic floor. At the end of the experiment, all animals were anesthetized and the middle third of the urethra was removed, fixed in Bouin's fluid and processed for histomorphometric study. Sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin for morphological and morphometric description, and others were stained with picrosirius red for the quantitation of total collagen. The thicknesses of the muscle layer and of the epithelium were determined, in 4 quadrants of the urethra, by performing 20 measurements per animal. The number of blood vessels present in the lamina propria was counted in the four quadrants over an area of 10³ µm² per quadrant and the images were obtained using the image analysis program AxioVision® REL 4.3 (Carl Zeiss). The collagen and muscle fiber ratios in the urethrae were calculated from two images per quadrant of every slice stained with picrosirius red, employing the Imagelab® Program. Data were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) and the Tukey-Kramer multiple comparison test (p<0.05). RESULTS: The morphometry of the collagen, number of blood vessels and thickness of the epithelium showed no significant changes; however, the thickness of the periurethral muscle tissue increased significantly in Exp12 group, compared to the other groups (Exp12*>Exp6==Ctrl==Sham; *p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Prolonged functional electric stimulation of the pelvic floor induced an increase in periurethral muscle thickness in rats.
Summary
Rev Bras Ginecol Obstet. 2009;31(8):391-396
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72032009000800004
PURPOSE: to study the changes in the urethrovesical junction (UVJ) and in the proximal urethra (PU) caused by the Marshall-Marchetti-Krantz-Burch (MMK-B) combined surgery through perineal ultrasonography. METHODS: an interventional, longitudinal and prospective study has been conducted. Thirty-two women with stress urinary incontinence were submitted to perineal ultrasonography before and 30 days after surgery to evaluate the pubo-urethral distance (PUD), the proximal urethra length, the UVJ horizontal distance (UVJHD) and the UVJ vertical distance (UVJVD), the patient being at rest, and in effort during the Valsava manoeuvre. Results have been expressed in mean and standard deviation. The Student's t-test has been used to compare pre and postoperative results whenever the variables fulfilled the normality test criterion; otherwise, the Wilcoxon's paired test has been used. RESULTS: as compared with the preoperative measures, the Marshall-Marchetti-Krantz-Burch surgery has reduced the PUD at rest (14 mm x 4.3 mm) and during effort (20.8 mm x 6.4 mm); has reduced the UVJHD at rest (14 mm x 4.3 mm) and during effort (20.8 mm x 6.4 mm); has increased the PU length at rest (16.7 mm x 19.7 mm) and during effort (1.6 mm x 15.4 mm); and has increased UVJVD during effort (-5.4 mm x 14.8 mm), but has not changed it at rest (16.2 mm x 18.7 mm, p = 0.085). CONCLUSIONS: the Marshall-Marchetti-Krantz-Burch surgery has significantly reduced the urethrovesical junction vertical and horizontal mobility without raising the urethrovesical junction.
Summary
Rev Bras Ginecol Obstet. 2009;31(8):391-396
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72032009000800004
PURPOSE: to study the changes in the urethrovesical junction (UVJ) and in the proximal urethra (PU) caused by the Marshall-Marchetti-Krantz-Burch (MMK-B) combined surgery through perineal ultrasonography. METHODS: an interventional, longitudinal and prospective study has been conducted. Thirty-two women with stress urinary incontinence were submitted to perineal ultrasonography before and 30 days after surgery to evaluate the pubo-urethral distance (PUD), the proximal urethra length, the UVJ horizontal distance (UVJHD) and the UVJ vertical distance (UVJVD), the patient being at rest, and in effort during the Valsava manoeuvre. Results have been expressed in mean and standard deviation. The Student's t-test has been used to compare pre and postoperative results whenever the variables fulfilled the normality test criterion; otherwise, the Wilcoxon's paired test has been used. RESULTS: as compared with the preoperative measures, the Marshall-Marchetti-Krantz-Burch surgery has reduced the PUD at rest (14 mm x 4.3 mm) and during effort (20.8 mm x 6.4 mm); has reduced the UVJHD at rest (14 mm x 4.3 mm) and during effort (20.8 mm x 6.4 mm); has increased the PU length at rest (16.7 mm x 19.7 mm) and during effort (1.6 mm x 15.4 mm); and has increased UVJVD during effort (-5.4 mm x 14.8 mm), but has not changed it at rest (16.2 mm x 18.7 mm, p = 0.085). CONCLUSIONS: the Marshall-Marchetti-Krantz-Burch surgery has significantly reduced the urethrovesical junction vertical and horizontal mobility without raising the urethrovesical junction.
Summary
Rev Bras Ginecol Obstet. 1998;20(4):217-219
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72031998000400007
A case of urethral leiomyoma - a mass of approximately 5 cm in diameter - located on the anterior wall of the vaginal lower third is reported. The patient was submitted to a surgical tumor excision. Histopathological and immunohistochemical studies indicated leiomyoma, which is always a benign, unusual neoplasm, rarely relapsing after excision. Its pathogenesis and clinical features are also focused on.
Summary
Rev Bras Ginecol Obstet. 1998;20(4):217-219
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72031998000400007
A case of urethral leiomyoma - a mass of approximately 5 cm in diameter - located on the anterior wall of the vaginal lower third is reported. The patient was submitted to a surgical tumor excision. Histopathological and immunohistochemical studies indicated leiomyoma, which is always a benign, unusual neoplasm, rarely relapsing after excision. Its pathogenesis and clinical features are also focused on.
Summary
Rev Bras Ginecol Obstet. 2006;28(11):633-642
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72032006001100002
PURPOSE: to verify the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of some ultrasonographic measurements in the diagnosis of stress urinary incontinence (SUI). METHODS: transvaginal ultrasound measurements of the bladder neck descent, urethral mobility and urethrovesical funneling caused by urination effort were performed in 40 women with SUI and in 40 women from a control group. Age, parity and the number of pregnancies were different in both groups. Several cut points were performed to evaluate the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of these measurements as a diagnostic tool for SUI. The urodynamic results were used as gold standard. Univariated analysis was done using Yates chi2 Test and Pearson chi2 Test. RESULTS: in the best cut point for bladder neck descent measurements, sensitivity was 40%, specificity was 72% and accuracy was 57%; in the best cut point for urethral mobility measurements, sensitivity was 40%, specificity was 70% and accuracy was 55%; in the best cut point for urethrovesical funneling measurements, sensitivity was 58%, specificity was 48% and accuracy was 52%; in the best cut point for the addition of the differences of these three measurements, sensitivity was 32%, specificity was 62% and accuracy was 48%. CONCLUSION: vaginal ultrasonography was not a valid diagnostic method for stress urinary incontinence in the present study.
Summary
Rev Bras Ginecol Obstet. 2006;28(11):633-642
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72032006001100002
PURPOSE: to verify the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of some ultrasonographic measurements in the diagnosis of stress urinary incontinence (SUI). METHODS: transvaginal ultrasound measurements of the bladder neck descent, urethral mobility and urethrovesical funneling caused by urination effort were performed in 40 women with SUI and in 40 women from a control group. Age, parity and the number of pregnancies were different in both groups. Several cut points were performed to evaluate the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of these measurements as a diagnostic tool for SUI. The urodynamic results were used as gold standard. Univariated analysis was done using Yates chi2 Test and Pearson chi2 Test. RESULTS: in the best cut point for bladder neck descent measurements, sensitivity was 40%, specificity was 72% and accuracy was 57%; in the best cut point for urethral mobility measurements, sensitivity was 40%, specificity was 70% and accuracy was 55%; in the best cut point for urethrovesical funneling measurements, sensitivity was 58%, specificity was 48% and accuracy was 52%; in the best cut point for the addition of the differences of these three measurements, sensitivity was 32%, specificity was 62% and accuracy was 48%. CONCLUSION: vaginal ultrasonography was not a valid diagnostic method for stress urinary incontinence in the present study.
Summary
Rev Bras Ginecol Obstet. 2006;28(9):545-550
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72032006000900007
PURPOSE: to evaluate muscular strength of the pelvic floor and the periurethral vessels of postmenopausal women before and after six months of soybean extract treatment. METHODS: the study was conducted on 30 postmenopausal women before and after six consecutive months of soyabean extract (100 mg/day) administration. Urinary loss and muscular strength of the pelvic floor were investigated through digital perineometer and functional evaluation. Digital color Doppler in the periurethral region was used to count the number of vessels. For statistical analysis, the paired Student t test was applied to compare the results before and after the treatment. RESULTS: twenty women reported urinary incontinence before the treatment period. The amelioration of this symptom was observed in 15 (75%) women after the treatment. Vaginal pressure (muscular strength of the pelvic floor) was 12.95±1.73 and 15.86±1.86 Sauers, before and after the treatment, respectively (p<0.001). Twenty-two women (73.3%) presented an increase in the pressure at the end of this study. In relation to the function evaluation, 18 (60%) had improvement in muscular strength and 12 women did not present any change. On ultrasonography (Doppler), the number of vessels was 2.20±0.15 blood vessels/field in the beginning of this study and 3.46±0.25 blood vessels/field at the end of the treatment (p<0.001). An increase in the number of periurethral vessels was detected in 21 women (70%). CONCLUSION: it is important to emphasize that these are preliminary results. A double blind randomized and placebo-controlled clinical trial with a high number of participants is necessary. However, the treatment with concentrated soybean extract (100 mg per day) for six consecutive months may determine an improvement in pelvic floor muscular strength and an increase in the number of periurethral vessels in postmenopausal women.
Summary
Rev Bras Ginecol Obstet. 2006;28(9):545-550
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72032006000900007
PURPOSE: to evaluate muscular strength of the pelvic floor and the periurethral vessels of postmenopausal women before and after six months of soybean extract treatment. METHODS: the study was conducted on 30 postmenopausal women before and after six consecutive months of soyabean extract (100 mg/day) administration. Urinary loss and muscular strength of the pelvic floor were investigated through digital perineometer and functional evaluation. Digital color Doppler in the periurethral region was used to count the number of vessels. For statistical analysis, the paired Student t test was applied to compare the results before and after the treatment. RESULTS: twenty women reported urinary incontinence before the treatment period. The amelioration of this symptom was observed in 15 (75%) women after the treatment. Vaginal pressure (muscular strength of the pelvic floor) was 12.95±1.73 and 15.86±1.86 Sauers, before and after the treatment, respectively (p<0.001). Twenty-two women (73.3%) presented an increase in the pressure at the end of this study. In relation to the function evaluation, 18 (60%) had improvement in muscular strength and 12 women did not present any change. On ultrasonography (Doppler), the number of vessels was 2.20±0.15 blood vessels/field in the beginning of this study and 3.46±0.25 blood vessels/field at the end of the treatment (p<0.001). An increase in the number of periurethral vessels was detected in 21 women (70%). CONCLUSION: it is important to emphasize that these are preliminary results. A double blind randomized and placebo-controlled clinical trial with a high number of participants is necessary. However, the treatment with concentrated soybean extract (100 mg per day) for six consecutive months may determine an improvement in pelvic floor muscular strength and an increase in the number of periurethral vessels in postmenopausal women.
Summary
Rev Bras Ginecol Obstet. 2000;22(10):609-613
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72032000001000002
Purpose: the effects of corticosteroids on the female urinary tract are not well understood, specially in climacteric women with or without estrogen replacement therapy. We studied the effects of corticosteroids on the blood vessels and epithelium of the bladder and urethra of female rats. Method: fifty-four female rats were used, divided into five groups. Group I - ten castrated female rats; Group II - eleven castrated female rats which receivedintraperitoneally 15 mg/kg weight prednisolone, for 26 days; Group III - twelve castrated female rats which received the same amount of corticosteroid, during the same time, and subcutaneously 10 mg/kg 17 beta-estradiol, in the last five days before they were sacrificed; Group IV - eleven castrated rats which received placebo for 26 days; and Group V - no castrated female rats which received the same dose of corticosteroid during the same time as in Group II. Results: we observed an average of 1.8 vessels in the bladder of the castrated group which received corticosteroid, a similar number to that of those which received corticosteroid and estrogen, compared with 0.8 vessel in the placebo group. Regarding the urethra, 0.7 vessel was observed in the group which received corticosteroid, as compared with 0.9 vessel in the group treated with corticosteroid associated with estrogen and 0.4 in the placebo group. Regarding the mucous membrane, the vesical epithelium thickness of 14.1 mm in the placebo group increased to 20.6 mm in that with corticosteroid and to 22.6 mm in that with corticosteroid plus estrogen. The urethral epithelium thickness of 12.4 mm in the placebo group increased to 15.1 mm in the group with corticosteroid and to 16.7 mm in that with corticosteroid plus estrogen. Conclusion: corticosteroids significantly increased the vascularization and the thickness of the vesical and urethral epithelia of castrated female rats.
Summary
Rev Bras Ginecol Obstet. 2000;22(10):609-613
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72032000001000002
Purpose: the effects of corticosteroids on the female urinary tract are not well understood, specially in climacteric women with or without estrogen replacement therapy. We studied the effects of corticosteroids on the blood vessels and epithelium of the bladder and urethra of female rats. Method: fifty-four female rats were used, divided into five groups. Group I - ten castrated female rats; Group II - eleven castrated female rats which receivedintraperitoneally 15 mg/kg weight prednisolone, for 26 days; Group III - twelve castrated female rats which received the same amount of corticosteroid, during the same time, and subcutaneously 10 mg/kg 17 beta-estradiol, in the last five days before they were sacrificed; Group IV - eleven castrated rats which received placebo for 26 days; and Group V - no castrated female rats which received the same dose of corticosteroid during the same time as in Group II. Results: we observed an average of 1.8 vessels in the bladder of the castrated group which received corticosteroid, a similar number to that of those which received corticosteroid and estrogen, compared with 0.8 vessel in the placebo group. Regarding the urethra, 0.7 vessel was observed in the group which received corticosteroid, as compared with 0.9 vessel in the group treated with corticosteroid associated with estrogen and 0.4 in the placebo group. Regarding the mucous membrane, the vesical epithelium thickness of 14.1 mm in the placebo group increased to 20.6 mm in that with corticosteroid and to 22.6 mm in that with corticosteroid plus estrogen. The urethral epithelium thickness of 12.4 mm in the placebo group increased to 15.1 mm in the group with corticosteroid and to 16.7 mm in that with corticosteroid plus estrogen. Conclusion: corticosteroids significantly increased the vascularization and the thickness of the vesical and urethral epithelia of castrated female rats.
