Biomedical subjects

D R Couillard

Publications and source records attributed to D R Couillard.

7 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1997

Urodynamic findings in the tethered spinal cord syndrome: does surgical release improve bladder function?

PURPOSE: We retrospectively reviewed 39 patients with a tethered spinal cord to evaluate whether surgical release positively influenced urological symptoms or urodynamic findings. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The patients were divided into 2 groups: group 1-11 with occult spinal dysraphism and group 2-28 with secondary spinal cord tethering after previous closure of a myelomeningocele or resection of a lipomyelomeningocele. Diagnosis was confirmed in all cases by magnetic resonance imaging or spinal ultrasound. A comprehensive urodynamic evaluation was done immediately preoperatively and 2 to 21 months (mean 7) postoperatively. RESULTS: In group 1 the most common preoperative urodynamic finding was hyperreflexia, which improved or resolved after untethering in 62.5% of the patients. Four adults also reported improved bladder sensation or decreased urgency. In group 2 the most common urodynamic finding was impaired compliance, followed closely by detrusor hyperreflexia. Urodynamic patterns of detrusor hyperreflexia or compliance improved in only 30% of the patients, while 48% had worsened patterns. Only 14% of group 2 had improved symptoms of urinary control but 28% had improved lower extremity function. CONCLUSIONS: Urological symptoms and urodynamic patterns may be improved by early surgical intervention in patients with occult spinal dysraphism. However, untethering did not consistently benefit patients with secondary spinal cord tethering.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1995

Proximal artificial sphincter cuff repositioning for urethral atrophy incontinence.

OBJECTIVES: Recurrent incontinence after implantation of an artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) may be due to urethral atrophy. Treatment options consist of decreasing the cuff size, increasing the balloon pressure, implanting a double-cuff system, or proximal cuff repositioning. The first three options may increase the risk of erosion. Increasing the balloon pressure does not effectively increase cuff pressure. This article demonstrates that proximal cuff repositioning is a safe, simple, and effective technique in the management of recurrent incontinence as a result of a loss of cuff compression due to urethral atrophy. METHODS: Six patients underwent proximal repositioning of the AUS (AS-800) cuff for recurrent post-prostatectomy incontinence. Urethral atrophy was determined by a thorough systematic evaluation. A detailed description of the surgical technique is provided. RESULTS: Five of 6 patients (83%) had significant improvement in incontinence with an average follow-up of greater than 1 year. In 1 patient with no improvement, preoperative urodynamics revealed poor detrusor compliance in addition to sphincter weakness due to loss of cuff compression. CONCLUSIONS: Proximal cuff repositioning on the bulbar urethra is an effective, safe, and simple technique in the management of recurrent incontinence due to urethral atrophy and may minimize the risk of erosion.

Aged↗

PubMed1995

Detrusor instability.

Detrusor instability is a common cause of urgency and urge incontinence in neurologically normal patients. It is defined as an involuntary phasic detrusor contraction of any pressure associated with symptoms of urge or leakage while the patient is attempting to inhibit micturition. The etiology is unknown but it has been associated with congenital causes, aging, stress incontinence, and bladder outlet obstruction. Diagnosis relies on a urologic history and physical examination, a voiding diary, and a urodynamic evaluation. Treatment is primarily pharmacologic and behavioral, with surgical options being reserved for selected patients.

Humans↗

PubMed1994

The vaginal wall sling: a compressive suspension procedure for recurrent incontinence in elderly patients.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the efficacy of the vaginal wall sling in the management of recurrent stress urinary incontinence (SUI) in an elderly female population. METHOD: Eighteen elderly female patients (average age 68.4 years) with recurrent stress urinary incontinence were studied with a thorough evaluation including video-urodynamics. Thirteen patients were diagnosed with type III SUI and 5 patients had type II SUI: A description of the technique, first described by Raz, is provided. RESULTS: Follow-up ranged from six to forty-two months (average 18 months). All patients are completely dry and express satisfaction with their outcome. Seventeen of 18 patients (94%) are voiding spontaneously. One patient at twelve months' postoperation requires clean intermittent catheterization. CONCLUSION: Many elderly female patients with recurrent stress urinary incontinence have intrinsic urethral sphincteric incompetence as well as recurrent hypermobility that often classifies them as type II SUI: The vaginal wall sling addresses both problems and is a safe, simple, and effective procedure in the management of recurrent incontinence in elderly female patients.

Aged↗

PubMed1994

Is sphincterotomy the best management of the spinal cord injured bladder?

Transurethral incision of the external urinary sphincter with condom catheter drainage has long been used in the management of the male quadriplegic or high thoracic level paraplegic with neurogenic bladder. The decrease in outlet resistance is believed to lower the high intravesical pressures associated with detrusor-sphincter dyssynergia and obviate the need for an indwelling catheter, with its associated infectious complications. We reviewed 16 consecutive cases of sphincterotomy performed at our institution during the last 8 years to determine the long-term success rate and outcome of this mode of bladder management. Of the patients 13 are cervical level quadriplegics and 3 are thoracic level paraplegics who were unable to perform self-catheterization. Preoperative urodynamics most commonly demonstrated detrusor external sphincter dyssynergia, moderate to severe hyperreflexia and decreased compliance. Followup ranged from 3 months to 8 years (median 39 months). Only 8 of 16 patients still manage the bladder with a condom catheter, while 8 have an indwelling suprapubic cystostomy tube. Only 1 patient followed for more than 4 years postoperatively still uses condom catheter drainage. The most common reason for conversion to suprapubic drainage was difficulty with the external appliance but other reasons included desire for increased independence, high post-void residual volumes and renal deterioration. We conclude that sphincterotomy is generally effective in decreasing outlet resistance and improving voiding efficiency initially but that careful patient selection and close long-term followup are necessary to guarantee long-term success.

Adult↗

PubMed1993

Fatal perforation of augmentation cystoplasty in an adult.

This is a case report of a fatal spontaneous perforation of an augmentation enterocystoplasty in a twenty-nine-year-old T12 paraplegic, thirteen months post augmentation and placement of artificial urinary sphincter. A review of the literature involving 41 episodes in 31 patients is provided with a discussion concerning presentation, etiology, and management.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1993

Surgery of renal cell carcinoma.

The overwhelming determining factor in survival for renal cell carcinoma is the total surgical removal of the tumor. Preoperative assessment of tumor stage is critical in determining the surgical approach especially regarding the presence and extent of tumor thrombus. Interoperative techniques are discussed as well as parenchymal sparing procedures and the role of surgery in advanced disease.

Aged↗