Urodynamics M4780
Description: Urodynamic studies
Code: M4780
The term Urodynamics refers to the study of pressure and flow in the bladder and urethra. It helps to accurately diagnose problems of the bladder filling and emptying.
Background
The kidneys produce urine when removing waste products from the bloodstream. This urine is then passed down to the bladder.
The bladder is a muscular bag which when full is about the size of a grapefruit. It stores urine which comes from your kidneys. When you wish to pass water the muscle wall squeezes to urine out via the urethra. In women this is only about an inch long. In men it is much longer, passing through the prostate gland and down to the end of the penis.
Both men and women have muscular valves called sphincters which control the flow. In women the upper sphincter is at the neck of the bladder and the lower is at the pelvic floor. In men the sphincter muscles are divided by the prostate gland.
Urodynamics studies
Urodynamic studies are done when the consultant wishes to make a total assessment of you bladder problems. This will enable him to determine the best treatment for you.
Not everyone who has bladder problems needs urodynamic studies. Sometimes the cause of the problem can be identified by X-ray or blood and urine tests.
Preparation
No special preparation is required. On the day of the procedure you may eat and drink as normal.
When you get to the clinic you will be asked to change into a gown which stops your clothes getting wet during the procedure. Depending upon your symptoms you may be asked to empty your bladder.
Your urethra needs to be prepared with some anaesthetic jelly. The jelly numbs and lubricates the urethra. The jelly takes about 5 minutes to work – men may be asked to squeeze the tip of their penis to stop the jelly escaping for a minute or two.
The procedure
Once the anaesthetic has taken effect a hollow tube called a catheter is inserted into the bladder. It is used to fill the bladder from a drip feed. A second smaller catheter is inserted at the same time and this is attached to a pressure transducer which is linked to the urodynamics computer.
Abdominal pressure also needs to be measured at the same time and a further catheter is fed into your back passage. This allows the consultant to separate real bladder movement from general strains to pass urine.
As your bladder fills you will be asked to say when
(a) you first feel the urge to urinate
(b) you feel you cannot hold back any longer
The filling tube is then removed and you will be asked to stand up and cough. You may then be asked to urinate into a special container which records the rate of flow.
Once you have urinated the procedure is over and the catheters will be removed. The whole procedure takes between 30-60 minutes.
Following your operation
You are unlikely to notice any serious side-effects from this procedure. You may find it uncomfortable to pass urine for a day or two but this should clear up within a few days. You may find it helpful to increase the amount you drink over this time.
Seek medical advice if
- You become unwell, especially if you develop a high temperature
- The discomfort when passing urine persist for more than 4 days, or gets worse rather than getting better.
- Any bleeding in your urine persists for more than 2 weeks.
- You are unable to pass urine.
For our charge for this procedure please see our Price List
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