Partial Bladder Outlet Obstruction: Bladder Dysfunction and Related Issues in Animal Studies

Bladder dysfunction following partial bladder outlet obstruction (PBOO) is a frequent consequence of benign prostate enlargement in aging males. Bladder dysfunction also occurs in both postmenopausal women and women with PBOO, and results from various etiologies such as anti-incontinence surgery or pelvic organ prolapse. These problems can be attributed to bladder outlet obstruction induced by secondary detrusor functional changes. In addition, PBOO often occurs in children with congenital abnormalities in the lower urinary tract, and leads to voiding dysfunction. Animal models of PBOO are useful for understanding many aspects of the pathophysiologic process. In this review, we describe the studies of bladder dysfunction and related issues based on animal models of PBOO.