Artificial urinary sphincter for post-prostatectomy incontinence: impact of prior collagen injection on cost and clinical outcome

PURPOSE: We retrospectively reviewed our experience with the artificial urinary sphincter in men with post-prostatectomy incontinence to determine the impact of prior collagen injection therapy on surgical outcome and overall cost of treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The records and preoperative urodynamic studies of 30 men with post-prostatectomy incontinence who underwent artificial urinary sphincter placement were reviewed. Of these patients 23 (76.6%) had undergone prior collagen injection (collagen group) and 7 had not (noncollagen group). Preoperative and postoperative severity of incontinence was assessed with the American Urological Association quality of life index (scale 0 to 6) and number of pads used daily. Using a Valsalva leak point pressure of less than 60 cm. water as a predictor of failure with collagen injection, we calculated the potential savings had these patients foregone collagen injection and chosen artificial urinary sphincter primarily. RESULTS: Of the 30 patients 24 (80%) were incontinent following radical retropubic prostatectomy and 6 (20%) after transurethral resection. Intrinsic sphincter deficiency was the sole etiology of incontinence in most patients (83.3%) and 5 (16.7%) had concomitant detrusor instability. Six patients alternated the use of pads with the use of clamps or a condom catheter to aid in controlling leakage. Mean number of collagen treatment sessions for the injection group was 2.9 (range 1 to 7). There was a significant difference in mean time from prostatectomy to artificial urinary sphincter between the noncollagen (25.3 months) and collagen (35.8 months) groups (p = 0.04). There were no other statistically significant differences between the groups, including mean age (66.2 years, range 45 to 83), mean followup (26.2 months), mean preoperative pads daily (5.8+/-3.4), median preoperative quality of life index (6, range 3 to 6), median preoperative American Urological Association symptom score (13, range 3 to 35) and mean preoperative Valsalva leak point pressure (42.7+/-21.4 cm. water). For all patients in the study the mean postoperative pads daily was 0.8, mean quality of life index 1 and surgical complication rate 13.3%. There were no statistically significant differences between the collagen and noncollagen groups in any of these parameters. Among the collagen group 17 patients (73.9%) had a Valsalva leak point pressure less than 60 cm. water. Considering the mean additional period of incontinence (time between prostatectomy and artificial urinary sphincter) to be 12.9 months and the additional treatment costs (including pads daily and mean number of collagen syringes per patient), the direct costs of treatment for the collagen group were 85.6% higher than those for patients who chose artificial urinary sphincter primarily. CONCLUSIONS: Prior collagen therapy did not adversely influence the surgical complication rate or compromise effectiveness of the artificial urinary sphincter. However, patients with Valsalva leak point pressure less than 60 cm. water have lower rates of success with collagen injection therapy and could benefit from a more successful, timely and cost-effective treatment of incontinence by choosing the artificial urinary sphincter as primary therapy.     

Decision aids for benign prostatic hyperplasia: applicability across race and education.

BACKGROUND/METHOD: Decision aids have not been widely tested in diverse audiences. The authors conducted interviews in a 2 x 2 race by education design with participants who were 50 years old (n = 188). The decision aid was a benign prostatic hyperplasia videotape. RESULTS: There was an increase in knowledge equal in all groups, with baseline knowledge higher in whites. The decision stage increased in all groups and was equivalent in the marginal-illiterate subgroup (n = 0.15). CONCLUSION: Contrary to expectations, results show no difference by race or college education in knowledge gain or increase in reported readiness to decide. The video appeared to produce change across race and education. The end decision stage was high, especially in less educated men. Results suggest that decision aids may be effective without tailoring, as suggested previously to enhance health communication in diverse audiences. Research should test findings in representative samples and in clinical encounters and identify types of knowledge absorbed from decision aids and whether the shift to decision reflects data/knowledge or shared decision-making message.     

Do patient decision aids meet effectiveness criteria of the international patient decision aid standards collaboration? A systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the extent to which patient decision aids (PtDAs) meet effectiveness standards of the International Patient Decision Aids Collaboration (IPDAS). DATA SOURCES: Five electronic databases (to July 2006) and personal contacts (to December 2006). RESULTS: Among 55 randomized controlled trials, 38 (69%) used at least 1 measure that mapped onto an IPDAS effectiveness criterion. Measures of decision quality were knowledge scores (27 trials), accurate risk perceptions (12 trials), and value congruence with the chosen option (3 trials). PtDAs improved knowledge scores relative to usual care (weighted mean difference [WMD] = 15.2%, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 11.7 to 18.7); detailed PtDAs were somewhat more effective than simpler PtDAs (WMD = 4.6%, 95% CI = 3.0 to 6.2). PtDAs with probabilities improved accurate risk perceptions relative to those without probabilities (relative risk = 1.6, 95% CI = 1.4 to 1.9). Relative to simpler PtDAs, detailed PtDAs improved value congruence with the chosen option. Only 2 of 6 IPDAS decision process criteria were measured: feeling informed (15 trials) and feeling clear about values (13 trials). PtDAs improved these process measures relative to usual care (feeling uninformed WMD = -8.4, 95% CI = -11.9 to -4.8; unclear values WMD = -6.3, 95% CI = -10.0 to -2.7). There was no difference in process measures when detailed and simple PtDAs were compared. CONCLUSIONS: PtDAs improve decision quality and the decision process's measures of feeling informed and clear about values; however, the size of the effect varies across studies. Several IPDAS decision process measures have not been used. Future trials need to use a minimum data set of IPDAS evaluation measures. The degree of detail PtDAs require for positive effects on IPDAS criteria should be explored.     

Study of smoking behavior in asbestos workers.

BACKGROUND: Asbestos exposure and concomitant cigarette smoking markedly increase the risk of lung cancer and contribute to the prevalence and severity of pulmonary interstitial fibrosis. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey of 214 asbestos workers was initiated to determine the prevalence of smoking and their readiness to quit smoking using the stage of change theory. RESULTS: The study was comprised of 61 never smokers (28.5%), 118 ex-smokers (55.1%), and 35 current smokers (16.4%). Reasons for smoking cessation in ex-smokers included perception of ill-health (51%) and knowledge of smoking-asbestos hazards (3.4%). Stage of change of current smokers revealed: precontemplation (26.5%), contemplation (35%), preparation (29%), and action (8.8%). Current smokers had the highest prevalence of small airway obstruction on spirometry. CONCLUSIONS: A detailed smoking history during medical surveillance activities will enable the occupational physician to identify asbestos workers who have difficulty quitting and to develop a system in which such individuals can be referred to comprehensive smoking cessation programs.     

Pharmacologic management of urinary incontinence in the female

Pharmacotherapy combined with behavioral therapy is often used for the initial therapy of urinary incontinence (UI) in the female. Although there are multiple central and peripheral sites and mechanisms that can potentially influence bladder and urethral function, the pharmacological manipulation of only a select few are clinically useful. The problems are: 1) how to affect bladder function without interfering with the function of other organ systems (uroselectivity); and, 2) how to eliminate UI without disturbing normal micturition. Multiple categories of drug therapies are potentially useful to treat UI. It is clear that the ideal agent for this indication has not yet been identified. Although significant improvement can be seen with several different agents for the treatment of various types of incontinence, complete cure is rarely seen with pharmacological therapy of UI. However, several new pharmacologic treatments including some with novel approaches to drug delivery and/or mechanisms of action have emerged in clinical development over the last few years. In initial studies, some of the agents appear to compare favorably to existing therapies. Whether these promising results will hold up when subjected to large scale, well controlled clinical trials is unclear.     

Diagnosis and reconstruction of the dorsal or circumferential urethral diverticulum

PURPOSE: Uncommonly a saddlebag urethral diverticulum (UD) may extend circumferentially around the urethra dorsally or anteriorly with compromise of the adjacent tissues. Excision of the entire mucosalized surface of this type of UD may leave an extensive gap in the urethra. Unfortunately the full extent of a saddlebag UD is often not appreciated on preoperative imaging and it is only discovered intraoperatively when potential reconstructive flaps have already been compromised. The advent of endoluminal magnetic resonance imaging (eMRI) has provided outstanding preoperative staging that has greatly aided in the successful reconstruction of the cases. We present our experience with the diagnosis and reconstruction of these complex UDs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A review of 41 patients with UD at a single institution revealed 9 with circumferential involvement of the urethra confirmed on eMRI. All patients had voiding cystourethrography as the initial diagnostic modality. Four of the 9 patients had had at least 1 prior attempt at surgical repair elsewhere. Presenting symptoms included severe pain in 7 of the 9 patients, recurrent cystitis in 7, a vaginal mass in 2 and mixed urinary incontinence in 6. Eight of the 9 patients had undergone attempted surgical repair. Surgical reconstruction consisted of complete division of the urethra to access the dorsal wall of the UD with partial urethrectomy. Urethral continuity was restored by end-to-end urethroplasty in 5 patients and by tubularizing the dorsal (anterior) wall of the UD to construct a neourethral segment in 3. A Martius flap and pubovaginal sling were used selectively. Postoperatively voiding cystourethrography was performed in all patients to document absence of the UD. Self-administered patient questionnaires were completed preoperatively and postoperatively. RESULTS: All patients report subjective relief of pain. Six of 8 patients did not use pads for incontinence. One patient used 2 to 3 pads daily for stress urinary incontinence symptoms and 1 had persistent urgency with rare incontinence, for which she used 1 pad daily. Complications included a distal urethrovaginal fistula in 1 patient and urethral stricture in 1. CONCLUSIONS: Circumferential UD is an unusual problem. However, with the use of eMRI as a diagnostic and staging modality the incidence may be higher than previously realized. Preoperative knowledge of the extent of the UD is helpful in ensuring complete excision of the UD and optimizing urethral reconstruction. We conclude that excision and reconstruction of the circumferential UD is possible with excellent symptomatic and anatomical results.     

Injected periurethral collagen for postprostatectomy urinary incontinence: MR and CT appearance

BACKGROUND: Urinary incontinence, a disturbing complication of radical prostatectomy, is often treated with periurethral collagen injections to increase urethral closure and resistance to urinary outflow. METHODS: Using magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography, we studied the appearance of glutaraldehyde cross-lined bovine collagen endoscopically injected into the periurethral tissues in four men who developed urinary incontinence after radical prostatectomy. Collagen was also scanned in vitro to verify its magnetic resonance appearance. RESULTS: Collagen deposits appear as well-circumscribed nodules of low to intermediate signal intensity on both T1- and T2-weighted images in the periurethral tissues or in the base of the subjacent penile bulb (base of corpus spongiosum). On contrast-enhanced computed tomography, collagen appears as a hypoattenuating nodular-filling defect within the penile bulb. CONCLUSION: These imaging characteristics should allow differentiation of collagen from locally recurrent prostate carcinoma and avoid inappropriate work-up of benign findings.