[Stress urinary incontinence among women who underwent surgical treatment due to abdominal hernias].

OBJECTIVES

Biochemical modification and resulting biomechanical disfunction of the connective tissue are believed to contribute to the pathogenesis of both stress urinary incontinence and abdominal hernias. Since the coincidence between this disorders may be anticipated, the goal of our study was to investigate the occurrence of stress urinary incontinence among women who underwent the surgical treatment of abdominal hernias.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Forty seven women who participated into the study were divided into two groups. The investigated group consisted of 23 women who underwent surgical treatment of femoral, inguinal or umbilical hernias, whereas the control group comprised 24 women after cholecystectomy due to cholelithiasis. Data concerning stress urinary incontinence and associated risk factors were obtained using Gaudenz's questionnaire.

RESULTS

Stress urinary incontinence was reported by 34.8% of women after hernioplasty and 33.3% after cholecystectomy. The difference was not statistically significant. We found no association between known risk factors of stress urinary incontinence, as: age, weight, history regarding vaginal delivery and gynecological surgery, and occurrence of incontinence.

CONCLUSION

The history of the surgical treatment of abdominal hernias is not a risk factor of stress urinary incontinence in women.