Foundation for an evidence-informed algorithm for treating pelvic floor mesh complications: a review.

To address evidence gaps on the management of complications related to mesh in pelvic floor surgery, we created an evidence-based algorithm that includes defining evidence gaps. We utilized the Delphi method within a panel of surgeons treating mesh complications to define a treatment strategy. The first round provided a list of clinically based postulates that informed a review expanding postulates to recommendations and included grading of the quality of evidence. A second round informed the final algorithm. While the quality of the available evidence is low, it provides a framework for planning diagnosis and management of mesh-related complications. TWEETABLE ABSTRACT: Removal of mesh must balance resolution of complications with the risk of removal and recurrence of pelvic floor symptoms.

Perinatal and maternal morbidity and mortality among term singletons following midcavity operative vaginal delivery versus caesarean delivery.

OBJECTIVE: To quantify severe perinatal and maternal morbidity/mortality associated with midcavity operative vaginal delivery compared with caesarean delivery. DESIGN: Population-based, retrospective cohort study. SETTING: British Columbia, Canada. POPULATION: Term, singleton deliveries (2004-2014) by attempted midcavity operative vaginal delivery or caesarean delivery in the second stage of labour, stratified by indication for operative delivery (n = 10 901 deliveries; 5057 indicated for dystocia, 5844 for fetal distress). METHODS: Multinomial propensity scores and mulitvariable log-binomial regression models were used to estimate adjusted rate ratios (ARR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Composite severe perinatal morbidity/mortality (e.g. convulsions, severe birth trauma and perinatal death) and severe maternal morbidity (e.g. severe postpartum haemorrhage, shock, sepsis and cardiac complications). RESULTS: Among deliveries with dystocia, attempted midcavity operative vaginal delivery was associated with higher rates of severe perinatal morbidity/mortality compared with caesarean delivery (forceps ARR 2.11, 95% CI 1.46-3.07; vacuum ARR 2.71, 95% CI 1.49-3.15; sequential ARR 4.68, 95% CI 3.33-6.58). Rates of severe maternal morbidity/mortality were also higher following midcavity operative vaginal delivery (forceps ARR 1.57, 95% CI 1.05-2.36; vacuum ARR 2.29, 95% CI 1.57-3.36). Among deliveries with fetal distress, there were significant increases in severe perinatal morbidity/mortality following attempted midcavity vacuum (ARR 1.28, 95% CI 1.04-1.61) and in severe maternal morbidity following attempted midcavity forceps delivery (ARR 2.34, 95% CI 1.54-3.56). CONCLUSION: Attempted midcavity operative vaginal delivery is associated with higher rates of severe perinatal morbidity/mortality and severe maternal morbidity, though these effects differ by indication and instrument. TWEETABLE ABSTRACT: Perinatal and maternal morbidity is increased following midcavity operative vaginal delivery.

Predictors of variability in urinary incontinence and overactive bladder symptoms.

AIMS: We used data from the General Longitudinal Overactive Bladder Evaluation (GLOBE) to understand predictors of variation in urgency and urinary incontinence (UI) symptoms over time. METHODS: A random sample of Geisinger Clinic primary care patients (men and women) 40+ years of age were recruited for a survey of bladder control symptoms at baseline and 12 months later. Symptom questions used a 4-week recall period. Composite scores were derived for urgency and UI frequency. Logistic regression was used to evaluate predictors of variation in scores at cross-section and longitudinally. RESULTS: A majority of those with UI symptoms and almost 40% of those with urgency symptoms reported episodes of once a week or less often; 17% had symptoms a few times a week or more often. Twenty-one percent with urgency symptoms and 25% with UI symptoms at baseline did not have active symptoms 12 months later. The strongest predictors of active symptoms at follow-up were baseline symptom score and duration of time since first onset of symptoms. Of those with no urgency symptoms at baseline, 22% had urgency at 12 months. Among those with no UI symptoms at baseline, 13% had UI symptoms 12 months later. Among the latter, age (males only) and BMI were the strongest predictors of symptoms at follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Inter-individual and intra-individual occurrences of urgency and UI symptoms are highly variable in the general population. Use of established predictors to select individuals with less variability in symptoms may help to reduce placebo rates in clinical trials.

Prolapse severity, symptoms and impact on quality of life among women planning sacrocolpopexy.

OBJECTIVES: To explore the relationship between severity of pelvic organ prolapse (POP), symptoms of pelvic dysfunction and quality of life using validated measures. METHOD: Baseline data from 314 participants in the Colpopexy And Urinary Reduction Efforts (CARE) trial were analyzed. Pelvic symptoms and impact were assessed using the Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory (PFDI) and the Pelvic Floor Impact Questionnaire (PFIQ). PFDI and PFIQ scores were compared by prolapse stage and history of incontinence or POP surgery. Regression analyses were performed to identify other predictors of symptoms and impact. RESULTS: Women were predominantly (90%) Caucasian and had mean age of 61 years. Women with stage II POP, especially those with prior surgery, reported more symptoms and impact than women with more advanced POP. There were no other significant predictors of symptoms or life impact. CONCLUSIONS: Women planning sacrocolpopexy with stage II prolapse and prior pelvic surgery reported more symptoms and quality of life impact than those with more advanced prolapse.

Analysis of the effectiveness of an endoscopy education program in improving residents' laparoscopic skills.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of a gynecologic endoscopy education program in enhancing residents' proficiency in laparoscopic surgery. METHODS: The program was designed to provide residents with the knowledge and skills necessary for laparoscopic surgery, before entering the operating room, in a cost-effective manner that honored the principles of adult education. The 7-week program included didactic sessions to provide conceptual learning but focused on practical skills enhancement through practice in both pelvic trainer and animal laboratory settings. The program design included dominant, nondominant, and two-handed skills as well as models for laparoscopic dissection, hemostasis, and suturing. The evaluation of the program is based on timing of laparoscopic skills as well as resident and faculty evaluation of laparoscopic proficiency at the beginning and end of the program. RESULTS: Prior to the program, 48% of residents and 75% of faculty were satisfied with laparoscopic training. All residents improved operating times in pelvic trainer skills after the program, with first-year residents improving by 68%, third-year residents by 58%, and fourth-year residents by 72%. The residents self-assessment of competence in 14 laparoscopic skills revealed an increase in all skills following the program. The faculty assessment showed an upward trend in skills competence. At the conclusion of the program, 100% of residents and 92% of faculty were satisfied with the laparoscopic training. CONCLUSION: A structured program emphasizing skills enhancement is an effective approach to improve residents' performance in laparoscopic surgery.

Randomized trial of antibiotic prophylaxis for combined urodynamics and cystourethroscopy.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the efficacy of prophylactic nitrofurantoin in preventing bacteriuria after urodynamics and cystourethroscopy. METHODS: We assumed that nitrofurantoin prophylaxis would decrease the rate of infection after urodynamics and cystourethroscopy from 19% to 5%. All women presenting for urodynamics and cystourethroscopy during a 27-month period were offered enrollment, and 142 were randomly assigned to receive two doses of long-acting nitrofurantoin 100 mg (n = 74), or two doses of placebo (n = 68). Nitrofurantoin and placebo capsules were identical, and subjects and physicians were masked to group assignment. Differences were assessed using Student t test for continuous data and chi2 analysis for dichotomous data. RESULTS: There were no statistical differences in demographic characteristics or final diagnoses between groups. Seven women (5%) who had bacteriuria on initial urine culture were not included in the final analysis. The frequency of bacteriuria in the postinstrumentation urine cultures was 6% overall, 7% in the treatment group, and 5% in the controls, a nonsignificant difference ([relative risk] 1.49, [confidence interval] 0.37, 5.95). The power of the study was 33% to detect a significant difference. CONCLUSION: Bacteriuria after combined urodynamics and cystourethroscopy was not improved by a 1-day course of nitrofurantoin.

A survey of pessary use by members of the American urogynecologic society.

OBJECTIVE: To describe trends in pessary use for pelvic organ prolapse. METHODS: An anonymous survey administered to the membership of the American Urogynecologic Society covered indications, management, and choice of pessary for specific support defects. RESULTS: The response rate was 48% (359 of 748). Two hundred fifty surveys were received at the scientific meeting and 109 were returned by mail. Seventy-seven percent used pessaries as first-line therapy for prolapse, while 12% reserved pessaries for women who were not surgical candidates. With respect to specific support defects, 89% used a pessary for anterior defects, 60% for posterior defects, 74% for apical defects, and 76% for complete procidentia. Twenty-two percent used the same pessary, usually a ring pessary, for all support defects. In the 78% who tailored the pessary to the defect, support pessaries were more common for anterior (ring) and apical defects (ring), while space-filling pessaries were more common for posterior defects (donut) and complete procidentia (Gellhorn). Less than half considered a prior hysterectomy or sexual activity contraindications for a pessary, while 64% considered hypoestrogenism a contraindication. Forty-four percent used a different pessary for women with a prior hysterectomy and 59% for women with a weak pelvic diaphragm. Ninety-two percent of physicians believed that pessaries relieve symptoms associated with pelvic organ prolapse, while 48% felt that pessaries also had therapeutic benefit in addition to relieving symptoms. CONCLUSION: While there are identifiable trends in pessary use, there is no clear consensus regarding the indications for support pessaries compared with space-filling pessaries, or the use of a single pessary for all support defects compared with tailoring the pessary to the specific defect. Randomized clinical trials are needed to define optimal pessary use.

Urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse in nulliparous women.

OBJECTIVE: To determine differences between vaginally parous and nulliparous women presenting with urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse. METHODS: Seven hundred forty eight consecutive referrals with urinary incontinence or pelvic organ prolapse, 62 of whom were nulliparous, were included in the analysis. Five hundred thirty-seven (72%) had urinary incontinence and 235 (31%) had at least stage III pelvic organ prolapse. Each subject had standard history, physical examination, and multichannel urodynamic testing. Differences between parous and nulliparous women were compared using parametric and nonparametric analysis of variance and the chi2 test with Yates correction where appropriate. RESULTS: The only significant demographic difference between the groups was that parous women had more previous continence and prolapse surgery. There were significant differences in distribution of diagnoses according to parity, with the nulliparas much less likely to have pelvic organ prolapse. Among incontinent women without prolapse, nulliparas were significantly more likely to have pure detrusor instability. Of those with pure genuine stress incontinence, nulliparas were older, had less anterior vaginal wall descent, less bladder neck mobility, narrower genital hiatus and perineal body measurements, and lower maximum urethral closure pressures. Of those with pure detrusor instability, the only difference was that nulliparas were significantly younger. For women with stage III pelvic organ prolapse or worse, no significant difference in any measured characteristic was noted. CONCLUSION: Nulliparous women were less likely to present with pelvic organ prolapse and those with urinary incontinence differed little from incontinent parous women.

Sacral osteomyelitis: an unusual complication of abdominal sacral colpopexy.

BACKGROUND: Abdominal sacral colpopexy using permanent mesh is an established technique for repair of vaginal vault prolapse. Infection is not a frequent complication. We report two cases of lumbosacral osteomyelitis treated with intravenous antibiotics without mesh removal. CASES: The first patient had known advanced degenerative arthritis. Unremitting severe low back pain 5 years after abdominal sacral colpopexy prompted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), revealing osteomyelitis and diskitis. The second patient developed symptoms 2 months postoperatively, and MRI indicated osteomyelitis with epidural abscess. Both patients received intravenous antibiotics, and neither required surgical debridement or mesh removal. CONCLUSION: Osteomyelitis can present remote from the operation and can be difficult to diagnose. Protracted parenteral antibiotic therapy can be definitive treatment without mesh removal.

The effect of vesical volume on Valsalva leak-point pressures in women with genuine stress urinary incontinence.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of increasing vesical volume on the Valsalva leak-point pressure, examine the relationship between leakage at a given volume and clinical incontinence severity, and evaluate the relationships between leakage at a given volume and other measures of urethral resistance. METHODS: One hundred twenty women with genuine stress urinary incontinence (GSI) underwent serial Valsalva leak-point pressure determinations at vesical volumes of 100, 200, and 300 mL, and at maximum cystometric capacity. Urinary diary data, quantitative pad testing, and passive and dynamic urethral profilometry were also performed. RESULTS: Thirty-three women had leakage starting at a vesical volume of 100 mL, 18 at 200 mL, and 19 at 300 mL, and 17 had leakage only at maximum cystometric capacity. The mean first positive Valsalva leak-point pressures were significantly higher than Valsalva leak-point pressures at maximum capacity in all groups: in women who began to leak at 100 mL, 57 versus 36 cm H2O (P < .001); at 200 mL, 59 versus 45 cm H2O (P < .001); and at 300mL, 61 versus 47 cm H2O (P = .01). Women who had leakage at lower vesical volumes had worse measures of clinical incontinence severity and lower maximum urethral closure pressure less than or equal to 20 cm H2O) and pure intrinsic sphincteric deficiency (low urethral pressure and the lack of urethral hypermobility), but the specificities were 63 and 50%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Women with GSI are more likely to leak during Valsalva with increasing vesical volume. Valsalva leak-point pressures decrease significantly with bladder filling. The volume at which leakage occurs correlates inversely with clinical severity and directly with maximum urethral closure pressure. A negative Valsalva leak-point pressure at 300 mL excludes the presence of low urethral pressure and pure intrinsic sphincteric deficiency; however, the specificity and positive predictive value are inadequate for making a clinical diagnosis of either condition.

Uterosacral ligament: description of anatomic relationships to optimize surgical safety.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the optimal site in the uterosacral ligament for suspension of the vaginal vault with regard to adjacent anatomy and suspension strength. METHODS: Fifteen female cadavers were evaluated between December 1998 and September 1999. Eleven hemisected pelves were dissected to better define the uterosacral ligament and identify adjacent anatomy. Ureteral pressure profiles with and without relaxing incisions were done on four fresh specimens. Suture pullout strengths also were assessed in the uterosacral ligament. RESULTS: The uterosacral ligament was attached broadly to the first, second, and third sacral vertebrae, and variably to the fourth sacral vertebrae. The intermediate portion of the uterosacral ligament had fewer vital, subjacent structures. The mean +/- standard deviation distance from ureter to uterosacral ligament was 0.9 +/- 0.4, 2.3 +/- 0.9, and 4.1 +/- 0.6 cm in the cervical, intermediate, and sacral portions of the uterosacral ligament, respectively. The distance from the ischial spine to the ureter was 4.9 +/- 2.0 cm. The ischial spine was consistently beneath the intermediate portion but variable in location beneath the breadth of the ligament. Uterosacral ligament tension was transmitted to the ureter, most notably near the cervix. The cervical and intermediate portions of the uterosacral ligament supported more than 17 kg of weight before failure. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that the optimal site for fixation is the intermediate portion of the uterosacral ligament, 1 cm posterior to its most anterior palpable margin, with the ligament on tension.

Vesical endometriosis: report of two cases and review of the literature.

Endometriosis is a common gynecologic disease in which endometrial tissue is deposited outside the normal confines of the uterine cavity. In rare instances, endometriosis involves the urinary tract, with the bladder the most frequent organ affected. Classic presenting symptoms include cyclic irritative voiding symptoms and suprapubic discomfort with or without hematuria. Both medical and surgical management have been advocated, but surgical extirpation is probably more efficacious. Two cases of endometriosis involving the the bladder are presented and contrasted in terms of pathophysiology. Contemporary management of this condition is reviewed, and guidelines for diagnosis and treatment are proposed.

Effectiveness of laparoscopic cadaveric dissection in enhancing resident comprehension of pelvic anatomy.

BACKGROUND: Anatomic instruction during preclinical years of medical school has been in decline recently. There is evidence that residents already lose a considerable portion of basic anatomic knowledge in the transition from student to clinician, and this deficit is even more dramatic in residents who start their training with a decreased understanding of anatomy. We questioned whether anatomy could be adequately retaught to new residents as surgical anatomy. In an effort to address this deficiency, we developed a program to teach pelvic anatomy in fresh cadavers using a laparoscopic approach. The purpose of this investigation is to determine if such a program is effective in enhancing residents' pelvic anatomy comprehension. STUDY DESIGN: An obstetrics and gynecology residency was divided into intervention (n = 15) and control (n = 13) groups. The intervention was a 4-hour laparoscopic dissection in a fresh cadaver. Outcomes measures included a multiple-choice test, practical exam, faculty evaluation, and satisfaction assessment. The faculty evaluation and satisfaction assessment used a visual analog scale. Univarate and nonparametric analysis were used when appropriate. RESULTS: Initial test scores (p = 0.32), faculty evaluations (p = 0.25), and satisfaction scores (p = 0.17) were similar. Both groups improved their anatomic knowledge based on test scores (p = 0.004) and faculty evaluations (p < 0.001), and final test scores were not significantly different (p = 0.19). Data measured on a 10-cm visual analog scale suggested higher faculty evaluations in the intervention group (14mm versus 10.3mm, (p = 0.23). Similarly there were higher scores on the cadaver test in the intervention group (65% versus 50%), (p = 0.13). The intervention group was significantly more satisfied with their anatomic training (16.1 mm versus-10.1 mm, p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: This study did not have sufficient power to demonstrate that a single laparoscopic cadaveric dissection improves cognitive measures of anatomic perception, but suggested that it improves spatial perception of anatomy and is perceived by residents to be a valuable educational approach.

Management of pelvic organ prolapse.

The wide variety of available pessaries permits rather precise choice of pessary to meet a given patient's needs. Different approaches are reviewed. A paradigm for choosing a surgical repair based on the fascial and muscular support defects, as well as the functional demands and limitations of the patient is presented.

Pelvic support, pelvic symptoms, and patient satisfaction after colpocleisis.

The objective was to study the effect of colpocleisis on pelvic support, symptoms, and quality of life and report-associated morbidity and postoperative satisfaction. Women undergoing colpocleisis for treatment of pelvic organ prolapse (POP) were recruited at six centers. Baseline measures included physical examination, responses to the Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory, and Pelvic Floor Impact Questionnaire. Three and 12 months after surgery we repeated baseline measures. Of 152 patients with mean age 79 (+/-6) years, 132 (87%) completed 1 year follow-up. Three and 12 months after surgery, 90/110 (82%) and 75/103 (73%) patients following up had POP stage < or = 1. All pelvic symptom scores and related bother significantly improved at 3 and 12 months, and 125 (95%) patients said they were either 'very satisfied' or 'satisfied' with the outcome of their surgery. Colpocleisis was effective in resolving prolapse and pelvic symptoms and was associated with high patient satisfaction.

The contribution of urethrocystoscopy to evaluation of lower urinary tract dysfunction in women.

The aim of this study was to determine whether the evaluation of lower urinary dysfunction with urodynamics and urethrocystoscopy provides unique information that is missed by urodynamics alone. Eighty-four women underwent multichannel urodynamics and urethrocystoscopy. Retrospective analysis included evaluation of the relationships between lower urinary tract lesions and risk factors using chi2 and Fisher's exact tests. Urethrocystoscopic findings changed the diagnosis and management in 6 patients. New urethrocystoscopic findings included papillary transitional-cell carcinoma, cystitis glandularis, an intravesical suture and a urethral diverticulum. Clinical parameters were not predictive of these findings. Urethrocystoscopic findings also contributed to the final diagnosis in 10 patients with intrinsic sphincter deficiency. Considered alone, maximum urethral closure pressure < or =20 cmH2O had a sensitivity of only 20% and a positive predictive value of 40% for this diagnosis. Urodynamics without urethrocystoscopy would have missed important diagnoses in 19% of women. Urethrocystoscopy and urodynamics complement one another, and both have a role in the evaluation of women with lower urinary tract dysfunction.

Clinical predictors of urinary incontinence in women.

OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to characterize historic and clinical parameters in incontinent women to determine the predictive value for urodynamic diagnoses. STUDY DESIGN: The analysis includes 535 consecutive women with final diagnoses of genuine stress incontinence, detrusor instability, or both. Evaluations included a standardized history, examination, urinary diary, quantitation test, and urodynamics. The analysis used one-way analysis of variance, chi 2 analysis with Yates' correction, and Fisher's exact test. RESULTS: A total of 351 (66%) women were diagnosed with genuine stress incontinence, 102 (19%) with detrusor instability, and 82 (15%) with both. Half had symptoms of both stress incontinence and urge incontinence, of whom only 21% had both genuine stress incontinence and detrusor instability. Fewer than half of women diagnosed with genuine stress incontinence or detrusor instability had just symptoms of stress incontinence or urge incontinence, respectively. Evaluation of historic, examination, and urinary diary data for their influences on the predictive value of pure stress incontinence or urge incontinence revealed statistical differences for urethral hypermobility, estrogen deficiency, and incontinent episodes, yet they were not clinically practical predictors. CONCLUSIONS: Pure symptoms identify fewer than half of patients with pure genuine stress incontinence or detrusor instability; historic and clinical parameters do not improve the sensitivity of these symptoms.

Uroflowmetry in women with urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse.

OBJECTIVE: To characterize uroflowmetry parameters in women with pelvic organ prolapse (POP) and urinary incontinence (UI) and to assess the effects of clinical and urodynamic variables on these parameters. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study comprised 655 consecutive women who presented with UI or POP and who had interpretable uroflowmetry values. Normal uroflowmetry values were defined as a maximum flow (Q(max)) > or = 15 mL/s, a mean flow (Q(mean)) > or = 10 mL/s, a post-void residual volume (PVR) < or = 100 mL and a continuous, single-peak waveform. Parametric and non-parametric analysis of variance and chi-square analysis were used to compare differences between diagnostic groups. Multiple linear regression models were developed to evaluate factors considered to influence uroflowmetry. RESULTS: Of the 655 patients, 471 (72%) had UI of whom 16% had pure detrusor instability (DI), 69% pure genuine stress incontinence (GSI) and 15% with both, and 184 (28%) had POP, 26% of whom also had DI. Of all patients, 72% had normal uroflowmetry patterns, 13% had multiple peaks and 15% had patterns with interrupted flow; 56% had completely normal uroflowmetry. There were significant differences in uroflowmetry values between the POP and UI groups, with the former having a lower Q(max) and Q(mean) (P < 0.001), larger PVRs (P < 0.001) and a lower percentage of totally normal uroflowmetry (33% and 64%, respectively, P < 0.001). Of patients with POP, 30% had a PVR > 100 mL. Because of the differences, the POP and UI groups were evaluated separately in the regression analysis. In both groups, the most important determinants of flow rate were the volume voided and pressure transmission ratio (PTR). However, when several factors (including age, voided volume, PTR and maximum detrusor pressure with flow and at Q(max)) were included in the model, they accounted for only 23-26% of the variability of flow in the patients with UI and 36-39% of the variability in patients with POP. The subsets of patients with pure DI in both the UI and POP groups had higher PVR volumes than the other subsets. CONCLUSIONS: These results show that the positive correlation between flow rate and voided volume described in normal populations is also observed in women with UI and POP. However, most of the variability in urine flow was not attributable to factors such as age, voided volume and PTR, confirming the complexity of the micturition mechanism. Women with POP had more objective evidence of emptying-phase dysfunction than women with UI, although most emptied their bladders efficiently. Finally, the results suggest that women with DI exhibit dysfunction of both inhibitory and facilitory detrusor control.

Bladder compliance in neurologically intact women.

No data currently exist to define normal bladder compliance (C) in women. This study was undertaken to establish normative data for C in neurologically intact women and to determine if detrusor instability (DI) is associated with changes in C. The multichannel urodynamic tracings of 270 patients (195 stable, 75 unstable) were reviewed according to a standard written protocol. Vesical and abdominal pressures (Pves, Pabd) were measured during retrograde filling after a stable baseline was established (< 50 ml) and just prior to cessation of infusion. If a detrusor contraction occurred, measurements were taken during a 5-sec window preceding onset of contraction. The vesical volume used to calculate C was the total bladder volume determined by completely emptying the bladder at the end of cystometry. Compliance was calculated by dividing this volume by the change in detrusor pressure (Pdet). For the purpose of some analyses, infinite C, i.e., no observed rise in Pdet, was arbitrarily assigned a value of 1,000. Overall, 47.6% of women had no increase in Pdet with filling to maximum cystometric capacity (MCC) and had infinite C. Women with instability were significantly less likely to have infinite C than those with stable bladders (32% vs. 53%; P = 0.003). In 75% of women, C was > 130 ml/cm; in 90%, C was > 60 ml/cm; and in 95%, C was > 40 ml/cm. There were significant differences between the distribution of stable and unstable bladders above and below each of these percentile cutoffs. Only 2 women, both of whom had unstable bladders, had C < 20 ml/cm water. Ninety-five percent of neurologically intact women have C > 40 ml/cm, and nearly half have no increase in Pdet during filling to MCC. Patients with DI have significantly less compliant bladders than do those with stable bladders. If C is < 40 ml/cm, a woman is 16 times more likely to have DI. Decreased C may suggest the diagnosis of DI in patients with urge incontinence whose symptoms are not reproduced in the laboratory.