Introduction: Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) is still one of the major complications after laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (LPR). This is a big problem for patients and physiotherapists. This may happen to most patients soon after surgery. The aim of the study was to assess whether the use of pre-rehabilitation before LRP would reduce the symptoms of SUI.
Methods: 70 patients were included. They were randomly divided into two groups. In group I (n = 36), patients underwent pelvic floor muscle rehabilitation 1 month before surgery and continued rehabilitation after surgery, group II (n = 34) began rehabilitation one month after surgery. Postoperative therapy was the same in both groups. Ultrasound, biofeedback therapy and pelvic floor muscle training were used. Urinary incontinence results were compared between the groups at 1st and 6th months after the procedure.
Results: Group I (n=36)
Group II (n=34)
Age (y)
64,7
67,25 (p=0,6)
Number of pads at 1m
4,1
4,72 (p=0,4)
Number of pads at 6m
1,03
1,61 (p <0,05)
Relative reduction in number of pads (%)
75
66 (p <0,05)
One hour pad test at 1m (g)
81,34
105,49 (p <0,05)
One hour pad test at 6m (g)
15,76
43,2 (p <0,05)
Relative weight reduction (%)
81
59 (p <0,05)
Muscle activity at 1m (uV)
28,6
17.82 (p <0,05)
Muscle activity at 6m (uV)
34,91
26,55 (p <0,05)
Conclusions: The implementation of pre-rehabilitation significantly accelerated the results in terms of return to continence in patients after radical prostatectomy in the 1st and 6th month after the surgery. The use of pre-rehabilitation should be considered as a way to improve pelvic floor muscle activity and incontinence outcomes in patients undergoing LRP.
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