Premium
Rhythmic pressure variations in urethra and anal canal: Investigations in healthy fertile female volunteers
Author(s) -
Sørensen S.,
Gregersen H.,
Sørensen S. M.,
Djurhuus J. C.,
Constantinou C. E.
Publication year - 1991
Publication title -
neurourology and urodynamics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.918
H-Index - 90
eISSN - 1520-6777
pISSN - 0733-2467
DOI - 10.1002/nau.1930100505
Subject(s) - anal canal , medicine , urethra , rhythm , pressure measurement , urology , surgery , rectum , mechanical engineering , engineering
Abstract Ten healthy fertile female volunteers underwent one hour continuous urethral and anal canal pressure recordings. The recordings showed a median maximum urethral pressure (mMUP), of 74.0 cm H 2 O and a median maximum anal canal pressure (mMAP) of 50.0 cm H 2 O. The anal canal pressure variations (APV) showed the same frequency domains as found in the urethra ranging from 0.001 to 0.03 Hz. The APV amplitude was correspondingly diminished and the two pressure tracings were out of phase indicating the urethral pressure variations (UPV) and APV to be separate intrinsic spontaneous activities of the urethra and anal canal. Twenty‐six months prior to the present study the women had a similar urethral pressure recording. Comparison of the mMUP, maximum urethral closure pressure (mMUCP), and UPV frequency and amplitude showed no difference between the two periods. The intraindividual variation was lower than the interindividual variation meaning that the individual woman had rather stable urethral pressures, whereas there was a considerable variation between the women. The rhythmic UPV frequencies and amplitudes were stable during the two year period. Consequently the study underlines the consistency of urethral pressure. The comparative investigations of urethral and anal pressure add evidence to our pressure statements that they originate from smooth muscle activity.