SHEAR WAVE ELASTOGRAPHY IN THE EVALUATION OF THE URETHRAL SPHINCTER COMPLEX AFTER RADICAL PROSTATECTOMY

Post-pelvic floor muscle rehabilitation has a significant impact on urinary continence recovery. The aim of our study was the evaluation of urethral sphincter complex using shear wave elastography in patients after radical prostatectomy, with and without postsurgical pelvic floor muscle rehabilitation. Thirtythree patients were included in the study. The severity of urinary incontinence after radical prostatectomy was evaluated. Transrectal ultrasound examination was performed in all patients with shear wave elastography to visualize the urethral sphincter complex and estimate its length. Statistical analysis revealed that higher than average urethral sphincter complex stiffness correlates with a smaller number of pads used per day (p < 0,05) and better urine continence based on scales: subjective 0-10 (p < 0.05) and International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire -Urinary Incontinence Short Form (ICIQ-UI SF) (p < 0.05). The post-prostatectomy pelvic floor muscle rehabilitation group had statistically significant higher stiffness of the urethral sphincter complex compared with the group without rehabilitation (p < 0.05). The study found that shear wave elastography is a valuable method in evaluation of the urethral sphincter complex. (C) 2021 World Federation for Ultrasound in Medicine & Biology. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

Post-pelvic floor muscle rehabilitation significantly impacts urinary continence recovery in patients after radical prostatectomy. Shear wave elastography is a valuable method for evaluating the urethral sphincter complex, showing that higher stiffness correlates with better continence outcomes in the rehabilitation group.