Intravesical prostaglandin e2 effectiveness in the prevention of urinary retention after transvaginal reconstruction of the pubo-cervical fascia and short arm sling according to Lahodny: a prospective randomized clinical trial

Intravesical prostaglandin E2 is effective in the recovery of spontaneous voiding after transvaginal reconstruction of the pubocervical fascia and short arm sling according to Lahodny. The aim of the study was to compare the effects of intravesical prostaglandin E2 in the prevention of urinary retention after transvaginal reconstruction of the pubocervical fascia and short arm sling according to Lahodny. STUDY DESIGN: From November 1996 to June 1999 fifty women underwent the Lahodny procedure for moderate/severe cystocele and stress urinary incontinence. Women were randomly assigned to 1 of the 2 study groups: intravesical prostaglandin E2 versus controls. Data obtained were analyzed with the Student t test and the Fisher exact test. RESULTS: Two patients of the treatment group had to be excluded from the study, one because of the wrong measurement of the post-voidal residual volume and another due to a fastidious burning sensation which appeared immediately after prostaglandin instillation and required the suspension of the treatment. No other side effects such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or hyperthermia were observed. Patients who underwent the prostaglandin E2 treatment showed a recovery of spontaneous voiding after 7.9±6.7 days, whereas this interval was significantly longer in the control group, being 12.9±9.7 days (p=0.04, Two tailed Unpaired Student's T test). CONCLUSION: The effectiveness and the low associated morbidity mark the treatment with intravesical prostaglandin E2 useful in the recovery of normal voiding after transvaginal pubocervical fascia reconstruction and short arm sling with the procedure according to Lahodny.