Bladder neck mobility in continent nulliparous women

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the mobility of the vesical neck during coughing and valsalva in healthy nulliparous volunteers and to test the reliability of the technique applied.

Design: Clinical observational study.

Setting: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Cantonal Hospital Lucerne, Switzerland.

Population: Thirty-nine nulliparous volunteers.

Methods: Vesical neck motion was assessed with perineal ultrasound. Intra-abdominal pressure was controlled for with an intrarectal probe. Intra-rater reliability was evaluated.

Results: Vesical neck mobility was significantly lower during coughing (8 mm, SD 4 mm) than during valsalva (15 mm, SD 10 mm) (P < 0.005). Between individuals mobility varied from 4 mm to 32 mm during coughing and from 2 mm to 31 mm during valsalva. Test-retest-studies showed a maximum difference between to tests during coughing of 4 mm and during valsalva of 5 mm.

Conclusion: The bladder neck is mobile in normal continent women and bladder neck mobility is lower during coughing than during Valsalva.