AMBULATORY URODYNAMIC MONITORING OF WOMEN

A review of articles concerning ambulatory urodynamic monitoring (AUM) is given. AUM, as we practice it? is described. Typical findings in n ormal continent women, in patients with genuine stress incontinence un stable detrusor, mixed incontinence, low closure pressure, unstable ur ethra and during sitting, jumping, and running are given. AUM is indic ated and is superior to conventional cystometry in urge incontinent pa tients and in patients with a supine closure pressure lower than 20 cm H2O. AUM is also indicated in stress incontinent patients not leaking during stress test. AUM may be valuable in drug effect studies and in the study of normal physiology. Abnormalities which are not disclosed with conventional techniques may better be detected by AUM when patie nts are at their ease alone, free from medical observers or are physic ally or mentally stressed in the situation they usually leak. AUM may, because of the recording of both urethral and bladder pressures, cont ribute to a more complete understanding of the leak mechanisms.