Detrusor after-contraction: is this important?

A sudden increase in detrusor pressure after cessation of voiding detrusor contraction and in the absence of flow can be recorded in some cystometric tracings and has been defined as detrusor after-contraction. Although it has been described in medical literature since the late 19th century, no common definition had been found by the authors of the relatively few articles published on the subject. This review was conducted by analyzing the available literature on the topic in an attempt to understand its real significance and clinical impact and has revealed several controversial aspects to the problem of detrusor after-contraction. These aspects include its prevalence in various groups of patients studied urodynamically, its definition, and its clinical significance.