Is benign prostatic obstruction surgery indicated for improving overactive bladder symptoms in men with lower urinary tract symptoms?

Abstract

Purpose of review: Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in men are highly prevalent, and include both storage and voiding symptoms in many cases. The effect of benign prostatic obstruction (BPO) relief on storage symptoms remains unclear.

Recent findings: The present review summarizes data about the relation between overactive bladder (OAB), voiding symptoms, and urodynamic characteristics in men with LUTS. Pathomechanisms of OAB in a context of BPO are reviewed. Rates of persistent bladder dysfunction after BPO relief are described along with predictive factors of persisting OAB.

Summary: OAB is a common clinical feature in a population of male LUTS, often concomitant with voiding symptoms. Although detrusor overactivity is found in some patients with OAB and BPO, there is no absolute correspondence between clinical symptoms and urodynamic findings. In the context of BPO, OAB pathophysiology implicates nitric oxide pathway, bladder ischemia, ageing of the urinary tract, and calcium-activated potassium channels activity. BPO relief can be followed in the medium term by persistence of OAB symptoms, and preoperative detrusor overactivity has been identified as the main predictive factor. However, preoperative urodynamics remain only indicated in specific cases, when it could directly influence clinical decision-making. Antimuscarinics may be the treatment of choice for persistent symptoms after surgery, but there is no firm recommendation in this clinical setting.