@article{Pham_Patel_Mungovan_2023, title={Pelvic Floor Muscle Function and Its Relationship with Post-Prostatectomy Incontinence}, volume={4}, url={https://siuj.org/index.php/siuj/article/view/266}, DOI={10.48083/NSOV8979}, abstractNote={<p>Objectives Post-prostatectomy incontinence (PPI) is a common condition, but the underlying mechanisms are<br>not completely understood. Transperineal ultrasound (TPUS) assessment of voluntary pelvic floor muscle (PFM)<br>function may be associated with PPI. This study investigates the relationship between PPI and pre- and postoperative<br>displacement of anatomical landmarks related to PFM function.<br>Methods This was a prospective longitudinal cohort study of 40 patients undergoing robotic-assisted radical<br>prostatectomy (RARP) by a high-volume single surgeon. All patients underwent PFM training pre- and<br>postoperatively. TPUS was used to obtain sagittal images of pelvic structures during maximal voluntary PFM<br>contractions: (1) preoperatively, (2) 3 weeks postoperatively, and (3) 6 weeks postoperatively. TPUS images were<br>analyzed to calculate displacement of anatomical landmarks associated with activation of striated urethral sphincter<br>(SUS), bulbocavernosus muscle (BC), and puborectalis muscle (PR). Continence was assessed at 3 and 6 weeks<br>postoperatively, defined as use of ≤ 1 pad/day. The relationship of continence to the displacement of SUS, BC, and PR<br>was analyzed.<br>Results SUS, BC, and PR displacement decreased significantly 3 weeks postoperatively (P = 0.042, P = 0.002,<br>P &lt; 0.001, respectively). Continent men exhibited significantly greater SUS displacement (median, 5.13 mm) than<br>incontinent men (median, 3.90 mm) 3 weeks postoperatively (P = 0.029). Between 3 and 6 weeks following RARP,<br>there was significant increase in SUS, BC, and PR displacement (P = 0.003, P = 0.030, P &lt; 0.001, respectively).<br>Conclusions A significant decrease in PFM function occurs following RARP, with a subsequent recovery of<br>postoperative PFM function between 3 and 6 weeks post-procedure in men who undergo PFM training. SUS<br>activation was significantly greater in continent patients compared to incontinent patients at 3 weeks following RARP.</p&gt;}, number={3}, journal={Société Internationale d’Urologie Journal}, author={Pham, Cecile T. and Patel, Manish I. and Mungovan, Sean F.}, year={2023}, month={May}, pages={203-210} }