In this study, the rate of postoperative transient urinary retention following posterior colporrhaphy is 32.4%, which is significantly higher than the rate observed following suburethral sling placement. Although the reason for this higher rate is unclear, it may be related to postoperative pain. Although it is standard practice to assess voiding function after suburethral sling placement, the findings of our study suggest that physicians should also consider assessing postoperative voiding function following posterior colporrhaphy.

The purpose of the study was to describe the presentation and management of urinary incontinence because of severe labial adhesions. Records of all patients diagnosed with labial agglutination and urinary incontinence at the Division of Gynecologic Specialties between January 1999 and February 2006 were reviewed. Clinical presentation, management, and treatment outcome were extracted from the records. Five subjects were identified. Mean age was 78 (range 59-87) years. Four subjects presented with mixed and one with urge urinary incontinence. Four reported change in flow of stream with voiding. Physical examination showed near-total occlusion of the introitus and urethral meatus in four subjects and partial occlusion in one subject. All were treated topically with estrogen and/or steroids. None of the subjects improved with conservative management, and all required lysis of the labial adhesions. Postoperatively, all were treated with daily topical estrogen and three with concurrent topical steroids. All subjects reported resolution of voiding dysfunction; three had complete resolution of their incontinence. Lysis of labial adhesions combined with postoperative topical estrogen and steroids appears to be an effective treatment in women with this condition.

The back fill technique appears to be a better predictor of adequate postoperative bladder emptying than the auto fill technique for inpatient void trials.

: Urodynamic evaluation prior to vaginal surgery for advanced POP can identify women at risk for SUI, who may benefit from concomitant continence repair.