Abstract
Urodynamic investigations were performed in 45 men, 25 women and 25 children with various forms of bladder outlet obstruction to define the stage of compensation and decompensation of the voiding system. Additionally routine diagnostic methods as history, rectal palpation, urine culture, endoscopy and excretory urogram were carried out. In adults the hyperactive decompensation of the detrusor could be differentiated from a hypoactive stage. The product of maximal differential pressure increase multiplied by maximal flow rate as a sign of voiding ‘efficiency’ can help to decide whether an obstruction must be treated or not. The size of the prostate diagnosed by rectal palpation or by endoscopic examination as well as the findings of the bougie à boule calibration of the urethra showed poor correlation to the urodynamic findings. In children flow rate is no reliable parameter for differentiation of compensation and decompensation of the system.