Post-prostatectomy continence in the parkinsonian patient: the significance of poor voluntary sphincter control.

A retrospective urodynamic study of 50 parkinsonian patients was done to determine the incidence and causes of post-prostatectomy incontinence. At presentation 22 per cent of the patients were incontinent. In 36 patients who underwent transurethral prostatectomy the incontinence rate was 17 per cent preoperatively and 28 per cent postoperatively. There was a clear association between normal voluntary sphincter control and urinary continence. After transurethral prostatectomy 5 of 6 patients continent preoperatively (83 per cent) who had abnormal sphincter control became incontinent compared to 1 of 24 (4.2 per cent) who had normal sphincter control. We conclude that the major risk of incontinence following prostatectomy in the parkinsonian patient is associated with lack of voluntary sphincter control.