Combined external urethral bulking and artificial urinary sphincter for urethral atrophy and stress urinary incontinence

OBJECTIVE: To describe a technique of externally bulking the urethra with a soft-tissue graft before placing another artificial urinary sphincter (AUS), as when placing another AUS for recurrent male stress urinary incontinence (SUI) other manoeuvres, e.g. placing a tandem cuff or transcorporal cuff, must be used to obtain urinary continence in an atrophic urethra, and each is associated with morbidity. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From January 2003 to July 2004, five patients (mean age 74 years, range 62-84) treated by radical prostatectomy were referred for recurrent SUI after placing an AUS (four, including one with urethral erosion) or a male sling (one, with a resulting atrophic urethra). Each patient was treated with an external urethral bulking agent (Surgisis) ES, Cook Urological, Spencer, Indiana) and had an AUS placed. RESULTS: In each patient the greatest urethral circumference was <4 cm. To place a functional 4 cm cuff, the diameter of the urethra was enhanced by wrapping it with Surgisis ES. Continence was significantly improved in all patients except one 84-year-old man who had the replanted artificial sphincter removed because of erosion 14 months after surgery. CONCLUSION: In cases of severe recurrent SUI from urethral atrophy after placing an AUS, externally bulking the urethra with Surgisis ES before placing another AUS is well tolerated, and gives satisfactory results.     

Collagen implant for treating stress urinary incontinence in women with urethral hypermobility

PURPOSE: We evaluated the use of collagen in women with stress urinary incontinence and urethral hypermobility. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We treated 90 patients with stress urinary incontinence and urethral hypermobility with 1 to 3 injections of Contigen implant (C. R. Bard, Inc., Covington, Georgia) between June 1996 and October 1998. Observations at 3, 6 and 12 months included continence grade, 7-day voiding diaries and quality of life questionnaires. Abdominal leak point pressure was determined at baseline and 12 months. RESULTS: At the 6-month followup 68 patients remained in the study, of whom 30 (44%) were dry and 24 (35%) were improved. Of the 58 patients who reached the 12-month followup 19 (33%) were dry and 19 (33%) were improved. Considering all patients entered into the study at 6 months 30 (33%) were dry and 24 (27%) were improved. Of the original 90 patients 19 (21%) were dry and 19 (21%) were improved at 12 months. The probability of maintaining initial improvement for 12 months was 44%. The success of bulking agent therapy was not predicted by the initial incontinence grade. Improved continence grade correlated with improved leak point pressure. CONCLUSIONS: This therapy is appropriate in women with urethral hypermobility who wish to avoid surgical risks and in those in whom surgery is ill advised.     

Predictive value of initial urodynamic pattern on urinary continence in patients with myelomeningocele

AIMS: To investigate whether the initial urodynamic pattern may predict urinary continence and the need for adjunctive incontinence surgery in patients with myelomeningocele. PATIENTS AND METHODS: One hundred and twenty-three patients with myelomeningocele were included in our retrospective study. The patients were divided based on the urodynamic pattern at initial evaluation into four categories: overactive detrusor with overactive (spastic) sphincter (group 1, n = 43), overactive detrusor with underactive/acontractile sphincter (group 2, n = 37), underactive/acontractile detrusor with overactive (spastic) sphincter (group 3, n = 8), and underactive/acontractile detrusor with underactive/acontractile sphincter (group 4, n = 35). Urinary continence status at the last follow-up and the need for adjunctive incontinence surgery were compared between the four groups. RESULTS: Mean follow-up was 10 years and mean age at the last follow-up 17 years. A socially acceptable continence status (continent or socially dry) was achieved in 74% and was significantly different among the four groups (P = 0.023): 86% and 87% of the patients in group 1 and 3 became continent or socially dry, but only 57% and 74% of those in group 2 and 4, respectively. Although none of the patients in group 3 underwent adjunctive incontinence surgery compared to about 25% in the other groups, statistically the difference was not significant (P = 0.48). CONCLUSIONS: The initial urodynamic pattern is very useful in counseling families by predicting urinary continence in patients with myelomeningocele. The chances of becoming continent or at least socially dry are best for patients with overactive (spastic) sphincter.     

Urodynamic characteristics of mixed urinary incontinence and idiopathic urge urinary incontinence

PURPOSE: To evaluate and compare the clinical and urodynamic findings in patients with either mixed urinary incontinence (MUI) or simple urge urinary incontinence (UUI). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A series of 100 consecutive female patients with MUI and UUI were identified from a database. Patients with neurogenic bladder, fistula, urethral diverticulum, prior urologic surgery or known urinary tract obstruction were excluded. All patients were classified according to the urodynamic classification of overactive bladder of Flisser et al. and all patients underwent history, physical examination, validated incontinence questionnaire, 24-hour voiding diary, 24-hour pad test, video urodynamic study (VUDS), and cystoscopy. RESULTS: A significantly higher proportion of patients with UUI exhibited detrusor overactivity at VUDS, (67% of the patients with UUI vs. 24% of the MUI, P < 0.05). Patients with UUI had fewer episodes of incontinence (6.7 vs. 4.2, P < 0.05) with slightly less objective urine loss (24-hour pad test 94 gm vs. 128 g of loss, P < 0.05) and voided at higher pressures (p(det) at Q(max) 21.4 vs. 15.6 cm H(2)O, P < 0.05). Patients in both groups had functional and urodynamic bladder capacities that were not statistically different. CONCLUSIONS: Women with UUI were more likely to exhibit detrusor overactivity but experienced fewer episodes of incontinence and less urinary loss when compared with women who had MUI. The "urge incontinence" component of MUI appears to be different than that of UUI, and suggests that urge incontinence may be overdiagnosed in patients with SUI who misinterpret their fear of leaking (because of SUI) for urge incontinence.     

Antidiuresis: a new concept in managing female daytime urinary incontinence

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the efficacy of desmopressin nasal spray on daytime urinary incontinence in women. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A multicentre, multinational, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over exploratory study of women (aged 18-80 years) complaining of severe daytime urinary incontinence was conducted in three centres (King's College Hospital; Boras County Hospital and Skejby Hospital). Seventy-five patients were screened of whom 64 were randomized. In all, 60 women received study medication (safety population) and 57 completed the study. The intention-to-treat population comprised 59 patients and there were 41 in the per protocol analysis. The primary efficacy endpoint was the number of periods with no leakage for 4 h after dosing. Women were instructed to take the drug at a time of their choosing, but >/= 4 h before bedtime. Secondary efficacy variables included the time to first void or incontinence episode, volume leaked per incontinence episode, total volume voided and number of periods with no leakage. All measurements were made over 7 days on desmopressin and 3 days on placebo. RESULTS: There was a higher mean (sd) incidence of periods with no leakage in the first 4 h on desmopressin, at 62 (35)%, than on placebo, at 48 (40)%, and during the first 8 h, at 55 (37)% vs 40 (41)%. There was also a higher frequency of dry days on desmopressin than on placebo; 36% of patients had no leakage on virtually all treatment days (6 or 7) for 4 h after dosing. At 4-8 h the incidence of periods with no leakage on desmopressin was 68 (35)% vs 63 (41)% on placebo, and thereafter the incidence was similar. The time from dosing to first incontinence episode was longer on desmopressin, at 6.3 (2.5) h, vs 5.2 (3.3) h, whilst the volume leaked per incontinence episode was lower on desmopressin than placebo. The total volume voided was consistently lower on desmopressin, at 1180 (58) mL vs 1375 (57) mL, over the 24-h period after administration. There were no serious or severe adverse events reported. Seven women (11%) withdrew from the study, of whom five did not attend for the final visit and two (3%) because of mild adverse events. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this exploratory study suggest that desmopressin is an effective and safe treatment in women with daytime urinary incontinence, and allows them to choose when they need treatment, thus improving motivation, which may aid compliance with therapy.     

Duloxetine compared with placebo for the treatment of women with mixed urinary incontinence

AIMS: Evaluate duloxetine in the treatment of women with mixed urinary incontinence (MUI). MATERIALS AND METHODS: 588 women, 19-85 years old with >or=4 incontinence episodes/week were randomly assigned to duloxetine 80 mg/day (N = 300) or placebo (N = 288). Patients were classified into three symptom subgroups: stress or urge predominant MUI (SPMUI or UPMUI) or balanced MUI (BMUI) based on their responses to the validated Stress/Urge Incontinence Questionnaire. Half the population was randomly assigned to have urodynamics; SPMUI, UPMUI, and BMUI condition diagnoses were based on signs, symptoms, and urodynamic observations. The primary outcome measure was the change in incontinence episode frequency (IEF). Secondary outcome measures included the Incontinence Quality of Life (I-QOL) scores, the ICI Quality of Life (ICIQ-SF) score, and the Patient Global Impression of Improvement (PGI-I) rating. RESULTS: At baseline, women with SPMUI averaged 15.9 IEF/week (61% stress), those with UPMUI averaged 13.2 (70% urge), and those with BMUI averaged 16.5 (52% urge). Overall IEF decreases were significantly greater with duloxetine than placebo (median percent reduction 60% vs. 47%, P < 0.001); both UUI and SUI episodes were significantly decreased with duloxetine (median SUI IEF reduction 59% vs. 43%, P = 0.001; UUI IEF reduction 58% vs. 40%, P < 0.001). Duloxetine IEF decreases were significantly greater for patients with SPMUI conditions and symptoms and for those with UPMUI conditions but not symptoms. Significant benefits were also demonstrated with duloxetine for improvements in I-QOL total score (11.5 points vs. 8.1 points, P = 0.002), all three I-QOL subscale scores, and for the ICIQ-SF score (-2.6 vs. -1.7, P = 0.002) as well as for PGI-I ratings (much/very much better 44.2% vs. 27.3%, P = 0.001). CONCLUSION: Duloxetine demonstrated significant efficacy in this population of women with MUI.     

经闭孔无张力尿道中段悬吊术治疗女性压力性尿失禁

目的探讨经闭孔无张力尿道中段悬吊术(transobturator inside-out tension-free urethral suspension,TVT-O)治疗女性压力性尿失禁(stress urinary incontinence,SUI)的效果。方法2005年8月～2006年2月采用经闭孔无张力尿道中段悬吊术治疗女性SUI18例,螺旋穿刺针自阴道前壁尿道旁间隙经闭孔穿刺至大阴唇外侧皮肤后放置网片,调整张力,关闭切口。结果手术时间10～25min,(15±3)min;术中出血量10～20ml,(15±2)ml。1例术后排尿困难,保留尿管3d后自行排尿。18例治愈,随访6个月均无复发。结论TVT-O操作简单,疗效确切,是治疗女性SUI安全有效的方法之一。     

Difference in quality of life in women with urge urinary incontinence compared to women with stress urinary incontinence

Introduction  We evaluated whether women with urge urinary incontinence (UUI) have lower quality of life (QOL) than women with other forms of urinary incontinence. Methods  Patients completed three validated questionnaires when presenting for evaluation at a urogynecology practice and were divided into four groups based on their responses: those with symptoms of stress urinary incontinence (SUI), UUI, both SUI and UUI (mixed UI), and neither SUI nor UUI (controls). Results  A total of 465 women were included: 53 women with UUI (11.4%), 101 with SUI (21.7%), 200 with mixed UI (43%), and 111 controls (23.9%). Overall, there was a significant difference (p < 0.001) in PFIQ bladder scale scores as a function of UI group, with individual mean PFIQ scores of 17.1 for controls, 22.3 for SUI, 32.7 for UUI, and 36.8 for mixed UI. Individually, all seven questions in the PFIQ bladder domain were significantly different by group (p ≤ 0.001). Conclusions  Women with UUI and mixed UI have lower QOL scores than women without incontinence or with only SUI. The project was approved by the IRB at Hartford Hospital.     

An anterior urethral stitch improves urinary incontinence following radical prostatectomy

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects of an anterior urethral stitch, referred to as an endopelvic anterior urethral stitch (EAUS), in reducing recovery time for post-prostatectomy urinary incontinence. METHODS: The urinary continence recovery time for 24 patients, who received a retropubic radical prostatectomy with the EAUS procedure, was compared to that of a historical control series of 22 patients without EAUS. The EAUS is a simple 2-0 polyglactin stitch placed between the bunched dorsal vein complex and the anterior urethra. This procedure was performed at the time of urethro-vesical anastomosis. Continence recovery time was defined as the day after removal of the urethral catheter when the patient no longer required pads for incontinence. RESULTS: A significantly shorter time for continence recovery (median 8.5 days) was obtained in EAUS patients compared with that of the control series (median 72 days) (P < 0.0001). Early recovery of continence was observed in 12/24 patients (50%) within 1 week and 18/24 patients (75%) within 1 month in EAUS patients. No adverse effects or complications were observed in the EAUS patients. CONCLUSION: A surgical procedure, the EAUS, has been developed that reduces urinary incontinence in patients who have undergone a radical prostatectomy. This procedure is simple and quick and improves recovery of continence without any side-effects.     

Pathophysiology of urinary incontinence

Urinary incontinence, or the complaint of involuntary loss of urine, is a debilitating condition of the lower urinary tract with a potentially significant impact on a patient’s physical and mental wellbeing and on their functioning and place in society. Due to the high prevalence of this disorder, the economic burden on healthcare systems worldwide is enormous. Urinary incontinence has a high prevalence in women, but men can be affected as well after a radical prostatectomy or when suffering from chronic urinary retention. Stress, urgency and mixed urinary incontinence are the most common types of urinary incontinence, but other types exist as well. The pathophysiological mechanisms behind these different types of urinary incontinence have been studied extensively. New insights allow for the development of improved diagnostic and therapeutic strategies and ultimately in the reduction of the potentially devastating impact of urinary incontinence on an individual patients’ quality of life. In this review, we explore the current theories on the mechanisms behind urinary incontinence.     

Pathophysiology of urinary incontinence

Urinary incontinence, or the complaint of involuntary loss of urine, is a debilitating condition of the lower urinary tract with a potentially significant impact on a patient's physical and mental wellbeing and on their functioning and place in society. Due to the high prevalence of this disorder, the economic burden on healthcare systems worldwide is enormous. Urinary incontinence has a high prevalence in women, but men can be affected as well after a radical prostatectomy or when suffering from chronic urinary retention. Stress, urgency and mixed urinary incontinence are the most common types of urinary incontinence, but other types exist as well. The pathophysiological mechanisms behind these different types of urinary incontinence have been studied extensively. New insights allow for the development of improved diagnostic and therapeutic strategies and ultimately in the reduction of the potentially devastating impact of urinary incontinence on an individual patients' quality of life. In this review, we explore the current theories on the mechanisms behind urinary incontinence.     

Clinical experience with urethral retro-resistance pressure measurement: a prospective pre- and postoperative evaluation in women with stress urinary incontinence

AIMS: To identify possible correlations of urethral retro-resistance pressure (URP) with clinically and urodynamically proven stress urinary incontinence (SUI) and the outcome of anti-incontinence surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: URP was measured using the Monitorr system in women with clinically and urodynamically proven SUI without prolapse before and after anti-incontinence surgery (colposuspension n = 8, tension-free vaginal tape n = 6, tension-free transobturator tape n = 34). RESULTS: Forty-eight women (mean age 61.8 +/- 8.9 years) were evaluated preoperatively and on average 10 weeks postoperatively. Mean URP was 75.6 +/- 20.8 cm H(2)O preoperatively versus 75.4 +/- 17.9 cm H(2)O postoperatively (P = 0.898). The type of anti-incontinence surgery performed had no significant effect on postoperative URP. While no association was found between age and URP (P = 0.35), there was a positive correlation between URP and body mass index (BMI; r = 0.49, P = 0.0004). There was no correlation of URP with the preoperative pad test (P = 0.17) and urethral closure pressure at rest (P = 0.51). Finally, URP did not correlate significantly with the preserved length of the continence zone (0-1/3-2/3-3/3) as determined by the urethral stress profile (P = 0.37-0.72) or with the objective cure rate (negative pad test). CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative URP does not correlate with SUI in all women, has no predictive value, and does not correlate with the outcome of anti-incontinence surgery. However, there seems to be an association with biomechanical factors such as obesity, which may open up a new area of application for URP measurement in urogynecologic diagnosis.     

Pathophysiology of urinary incontinence

Urinary incontinence, or the complaint of involuntary loss of urine, is a debilitating condition of the lower urinary tract with a potentially significant impact on a patient's physical and mental wellbeing and on their functioning and place in society. Due to the high prevalence of this disorder, the economic burden on healthcare systems worldwide is enormous. Urinary incontinence has a high prevalence in women, but men can be affected as well after a radical prostatectomy or when suffering from chronic urinary retention. Stress, urgency and mixed urinary in-continence are the most common types of urinary incontinence, but other types exist as well. The pathophysiological mechanisms behind these different types of urinary incontinence have been studied extensively. New insights allow for the development of improved diagnostic and therapeutic strategies and ultimately in the reduction of the potentially devastating impact of urinary incontinence on an individual patient's quality of life. In this review, we explore the current theories on the mechanisms behind urinary incontinence.