Determining how your bladder functions
This procedure allows the urologist to determine how your bladder functions and is commonly performed to assess the possible causes of urinary leakage.
Procedure
Urodynamics is carried out at Bay Radiology, at Grace Hospital Campus. It is done under local anaesthetic and the only preparation you need is to have emptied your bladder beforehand. There is a changing room where you will change into a gown and then you will be brought through into the procedure room.
- The urologist will pass a small catheter into the bladder. This is used to fill the bladder with contrast which can be seen on the x-ray screen. The catheter has a pressure transducer on it which allows continuous measurements to be made of your bladder function.
- X-rays of your bladder will be taken to see how it responds to provocations such as coughing and straining. The table is able to tilt and we often take further x-rays with you in the upright position. Depending on the complexity of the clinical question the procedure usually takes around 10 to 20 min. Women: please inform us if there is a chance you are pregnant.
You may feel quite full following the procedure and a toilet and shower are available if required. A little air is often introduced into the bladder with filling and you may find that you pass this when you go to the toilet; sometimes it makes a whistling sound when it comes out.
Post Procedure
Although the risk of urine infection after urodynamics is low we will give you an antibiotic tablet after the procedure. We also give you a glass of water containing Ural which helps to alkalinise the urine and take the "sting" out of voiding. It is quite normal for you to feel a burning sensation on voiding the first two or three times you go following the procedure and the urine may also be slightly blood stained. Keeping your fluid intake up can be useful to help with this.
Results
The beauty of urodynamics is that results are know immediately and we will usually get you back down to the rooms at Bay Urology in Hamilton Street to discuss the findings with you following the procedure.
