Cystoscopy Plus Urethral Dilatation Versus Cystoscopy Alone in Women With Overactive Bladder Syndrome and Impaired Voiding

• Change in pressure flow parameters (voided volume, maximum flow rate, acceleration of flow rate and detrusor pressure at maximum flow) at 6 weeks' post-operatively. [ Time Frame: 6 weeks ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
  
• Change in symptoms as measured by the BFLUTS questionnaire and Urgency Perception Scale at 6 weeks' and 6 months' post-operatively. [ Time Frame: 6 weeks and 6 months ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
  

• Change in quality of life status as determined by change in King's Health Questionnaire scoring at 6 weeks and 6 months' post-operatively. [ Time Frame: 6 weeks and 6 months ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
  

This study is a randomised controlled trial. Objective outcomes will be evaluated at 6 weeks' post-operatively. Subjective outcomes will be evaluated at 6 weeks' and 6 months' post-operatively.

Study Population Entry to the study will be offered to all women with OAB symptoms with impaired voiding on cystometry (flow rate less than 15mls/sec with volume of 200mls voided and a normal or high detrusor pressure at maximum flow), who have failed to improve with 2 different anticholinergic medications. Subjects will be recruited from the Urogynaecology clinic at Medway Maritime Hospital. A power calculation was carried out which showed a minimum sample size of 30 (i.e. 15 in each arm) to be necessary to ensure an 80% power with a significance level of 0.05.

Pre-operative Assessment All patients will undergo an initial assessment consisting of a full urogynaecogical history and examination, BFLUTS questionnaire and Urgency Perception Scale, and pressure flow studies. As mentioned before, each patient will have been treated with anticholinergic medications prior to being offered this intervention.

Surgical Technique All procedures will be carried out under general anaesthesia. A dose of intravenous gentamicin will be given to each patient at induction. After emptying the bladder, saline cystoscopy will be carried out with a 30 degree cystoscope. The bladder mucosa will be systematically inspected for any abnormalities and the bladder filled either until the sphincter mechanism is overcome or to 1000mls. The bladder is emptied again and a second fill undertaken. The bladder mucosa is inspected for petechial haemorrhages, erythema and other signs of chronic cystitis on the second fill.

In subjects randomised to undergo urethral dilatation, this will be undertaken using Hagar dilators. There is no evidence in the literature regarding normal urethral calibre in women. Therefore, the urethra will be dilated to a maximum of 10 Hagar as per our unit's protocol. Women will be discharged on the same day, if they pass urine adequately.

Post-operative Assessment Subjects will be seen in the Urogynaecology clinic at 6 weeks' post-operatively and assessed with a BFLUTS questionnaire, UPS and repeat pressure flow studies. Each patient will be assessed subjectively at 6 months' post-operatively using the symptom questionnaires.

Significance testing will be used to compare symptom scores and pressure flow parameters between each group pre- and post-operatively.