An introduction to urodynamics: procedure and patient care

This article provides a basic overview of the function and utility of common urodynamic studies (UDS). Continence nurses and other healthcare providers unfamiliar with the concepts involved may find it useful to understand how and why urodynamic studies are undertaken in order to support their own decision-making for patients with continence problems.

This explanation focuses on one centre's approach to undertaking UDS. There often exist minor variations between centres in, for example, choice of monitoring catheters (where solid state probes may be used instead of fluid-filled channels) or the position of the patient during the filling phase. Within this, individual patient requirements represent further modifications to be made, such as in the case of a patient who cannot stand or sit. However, the principles of urodynamics remain broadly the same everywhere.

Further information and guidance may be obtained in the Continence Society's Minimum Standards for Urodynamic Studies (Abrams et al, 2019) and Drake et al's (2018) article, based on the International Continence Society's recommendations. A good basic introduction is provided by Chapple et al (2019).