Direct transmural measurement of the detrusor pressure. A technique of detrusor pressure recording in micturition with intravesical and prevesical suprapubic catheters compared with recordings using a rectal balloon and rectal open-end catheters.

A technique of suprapubic recording of intravesical and prevesical pressure is presented. We conclude that rapid intraabdominal pressure changes (cough) and slow and sustained pressure changes (long strain) are equally transmitted to the bladder and to the prevesical space. When intraabdominal pressure is increased, the prevesical route of recording gives more uniform values of intraabdominal pressure elevations than do recordings from the rectum via rectal balloon and rectal open-end catheters. In micturitions with an initial bladder volume of 400 ml the suprapubic prevesical catheter functions well and the pressure recorded is not significantly different when compared with rectal recordings of extravesical pressure. The advantages associated with the use of suprapubic catheters are that identical recording systems with open-end catheters are used for both intravesical and extravesical recordings and that detrusor pressure is recorded directly as the transmural pressure difference.