In this Theory paper, the complex interplay of the specific structures involved in female urinary continence are analyzed. In addition the effects of age, hormones, and iatrogenically induced scar tissue on these structures, are discussed specifically with regard to understanding the proper basis for treatment of urinary incontinence. According to the Theory stress and urge symptoms may both derive, for different reasons from the same anatomical defect, a lax vagina. This laxity may be caused by defects within the vaginal wall itself, or its supporting structures i.e. ligaments, muscles, and their connective tissue insertions. The vagina has a dual function. It mediates (transmits) the various muscle movements involved in bladder neck opening and closure through three separate closure mechanisms. It also has a structural function, and prevents urgency by supporting the hypothesized stretch receptors at the proximal urethra and bladder neck. Altered collagen/elastin in the vaginal connective tissue andlor its ligamentous supports may cause laxity. This dissipates the muscle contraction, causing stress incontinence, and/or activation of an inappropriate micturition reflex, ("bladder instability") by stimulation of bladder base stretch receptors. The latter is manifested by symptoms of frequency, urgency, nocturia with or without urine loss. The active opening of the bladder neck into a funnel by traction of the pelvicfloor muscles on the vagina is an essential element for the expulsion of urine.Loose vagina at bladder neck. Clinically, many patients with SI have difficulty in initiating micturi-Acta Obster Gynecol Scand Suppl 153

A new ambulatory procedure for treatment of female urinary incontinence (intravaginal slingplasty, IVS) was performed on 50 patients. In all patients the surgical procedure was carried out under local anaesthesia and without postoperative urinary catheterization. The technique has been elaborated from previous experimental and clinical studies and aims at restoration of the pubourethral ligament and the suburethral vaginal hammock. Thirty-eight patients suffered from genuine stress incontinence as objectively verified and 12 patients had symptoms and signs of both urge and stress incontinence. Thirty-nine (78%) patients were completely cured from their stress incontinence symptoms. Another six patients (12%) reported a considerable improvement of their urinary incontinence leaking only occasionally. Concerning urge incontinence symptoms a significant relief of the symptoms was obtained in 6 of 12 patients. No intra- or post-operative complications occurred.

Introduction The terminology for nocturia and nocturnal lower urinary tract function is reviewed and updated in a clinically and practically‐based consensus report. Methods This report has been created by a Working Group under the auspices and guidelines of the International Continence Society (ICS) Standardisation Steering Committee (SSC). All relevant definitions were updated on the basis of research over the last 16 years since the publication of the first nocturia standardization document in 2002. An extensive process of 16 rounds of internal and external reviews was involved to examine each definition exhaustively, with decision‐making by collective opinion (consensus). Results A clinically‐based terminology report for nocturia and nocturnal lower urinary tract function, encompassing five key definitions divided into signs and symptoms has been developed. Clarity and user‐friendliness have been key aims to make it interpretable by healthcare professionals and allied healthcare practitioners involved in the care of individuals with nocturnal lower urinary tract function. Conclusion A consensus‐based terminology report for nocturia and nocturnal lower urinary tract function has been produced to aid clinical practice and research.

The aim of the study was to introduce an anatomical classification for the management of urinary dysfunction based on the Integral Theory, a new connective tissue theory for female incontinence. Eighty-five unselected patients, aged 27-83 years, 12 with pure stress symptoms and 73 with mixed incontinence symptoms, were classified as having laxity in the anterior, middle or posterior zones of the vagina, using specific symptoms, signs and urodynamic parameters summarized in a pictorial algorithm. Special ambulatory surgical techniques, which included the creation of neoligaments, repaired specific connective tissue defects in the anterior (intravaginal slingplasty (IVS), n = 85), middle (cystocele repair, n = 6), or posterior zones (uterine prolapse repair, n = 31, or infracoccygeal sacropexy, n = 33). Almost all patients were discharged within 24 hours of surgery, without postoperative catheterization, returning to fairly normal activities within 7-14 days. At (mean) 21-month follow-up cure rates were: stress incontinence 88% (n = 85), frequency 85% (n = 42), nocturia 80% (n = 30), urge incontinence 86% (n = 74), emptying symptoms 50% (n = 65). Mean objective urine loss (cough stress test) was reduced from 8.9 g preoperatively to 0.3 g postoperatively, and mean residual urine >50 ml from 110 ml to 63 ml, P = <0.02. Pre- and postoperative urodynamics indicated that detrusor instability was not associated with surgical failure. Two new directions, based on the Integral Theory, are presented for the management of female urinary dysfunction, an anatomical classification which delineates three zones of vaginal damage, and a series of ambulatory surgical operations which repair these defects. The operations are fairly simple, safe, effective and easily learnt by any practising gynecologist.

Our objective was to present and critically analyze the first 75 infracoccygeal sacropexy (ICS) operations for cure of vault prolapse. Level 1 reconstruction was achieved by the insertion of a tension-free vaginal tape (nylon) via the ischiorectal fossa into a transversely incised posterior vaginal fornix. Level 2 defects were repaired by cutting a central 'bridge' in the posterior vaginal wall and suturing the lateral flaps to the bridge. Level 3 repair reconstituted the perineal body. Postoperative pain was minimized by avoiding excessive tightening of tissues and avoiding surgery on the distal 1 cm of the vagina. Total operating time varied between 30 and 60 minutes. Mean blood loss was 120 ml. All patients were discharged within 24 hours of surgery, with minimal pain and without indwelling catheters. Almost all returned to normal activities within 7-10 days. Of the 75 patients (mean age 54 years), 71 were prospectively followed up between 1 and 4.5 years after surgery. Vault prolapse recurred in 6%. The main complication was tape erosion (5.3%). Infracoccygeal sacropexy is a promising day-case alternative to conventional methods. It has built-in safety, as it avoids pudendal nerves and vessels and surface rectal veins. Areas of future development are identified.