The Vagina as an Alternative to the Rectum in Measuring Abdominal Pressure during Urodynamic Investigations

Pressure in the vagina as well as within the bladder and rectum was measured during urodynamic investigations. Rectal pressure is normally used to represent changes in abdominal pressure which, when subtracted from the total bladder pressure, provides a method of assessing detrusor function. This study showed that vaginal pressure represented changes in abdominal pressure more accurately and consistently than did rectal pressure, and the vagina is therefore recommended as an alternative site in conducting urodynamic studies.