IMPACT OF UROLOGICAL SURGICAL INTERVENTIONS ON THE MANAGEMENT OF URINARY INCONTINENCE IN POSTPARTUM WOMEN: AN OBSTETRIC PERSPECTIVE

Abstract

Introduction: Urinary incontinence in postpartum women is an often underdiagnosed condition that can significantly impact quality of life. Several obstetric factors, such as vaginal deliveries and perineal trauma, are associated with the development of this condition. Urological surgical interventions have been proposed as an alternative for the management of urinary incontinence, presenting different approaches that aim to restore urinary tract function and improve the mental health of affected women. However, choosing the appropriate intervention requires careful analysis of the long-term implications and risks involved. Objective: To analyze the impact of urological surgical interventions on the management of urinary incontinence in postpartum women, from an obstetric perspective. Methodology: Using the PRISMA checklist, searches were performed in the PubMed, Scielo and Web of Science databases. The descriptors used were "urinary incontinence", "urological surgery", "postpartum", "women" and "obstetrics". The selection of studies considered inclusion criteria such as: articles published in the last ten years, studies focusing specifically on postpartum women and surgical interventions. Studies that did not directly address urinary incontinence, systematic reviews and articles that did not present original data were excluded. Results: The results indicated that surgical interventions, such as mesh placement and urethral suspension, were effective in reducing the symptoms of urinary incontinence, improving the quality of life of patients. However, some studies pointed to potential complications, such as pelvic pain and the need for reintervention. The analysis revealed the importance of a multidisciplinary approach and the need for continuous monitoring. Conclusion: Urological surgical interventions may be a viable option for the management of urinary incontinence in postpartum women, with significant benefits, but also with risks that should be considered. Research suggests that although surgeries may improve the condition, further studies are needed to assess long-term safety and efficacy, as well as strategies to optimize obstetric and urologic care.