The Micturitional Urethral Pressure Profile

Abstract

The micturitional urethral pressure profile (MUPP) was recorded using a measuring catheter with two eyes, 250 mm apart, one for recording the bladder pressure, the other for the urethral pressure during continuous withdrawal during micturition. Fifteen normal male subjects and 48 male patients with infravesical obstruction were studied. By means of the MUPP, it was possible to determine whether the patient had an obstruction or not, to differentiate between various kinds of obstructions and to localise the obstruction in the urethra. Provided infravesical obstructions can be considered “near rigid” segments, the degree of obstruction can be calculated and expressed in terms of a diameter and an approximate resistance. The diameter and resistance values should, however, not be considered alone but be regarded as complementary to the pressure profile.