Behandlung der Belastungsinkontinenz nach radikaler Prostatektomie

Background

The adjustable transobturator male system (ATOMS?) is a new method for the treatment of male stress urinary incontinence. This article presents the results of a prospective multicenter observational study with this system.

Patients and methods

Between March 2009 and March 2011 a total of 124 patients with persistent stress urinary incontinence after radical prostatectomy received the ATOMS system. Postoperative adjustments via the implanted port chamber were performed after 6 weeks and thereafter when necessary. Postoperative evaluation consisted of medical history, mictionary protocol, 24-h pad tests, 24-h pad counts and sonography.

Results

The mean age of the patients was 71.2±5.5 years (range 58-85 years). Previous incontinence surgery had been carried out in 36.3% of patients while 34.5% of patients had a previous history of radiation treatment. The mean operation time was 48.3±11.2?min (range 36-116?min) and the mean hospital stay was 3.8±1.2 days (range 2-6 days). No intraoperative urethral or bladder injuries occurred. After removal of the transurethral catheter on the first postoperative day, temporary urinary retention occurred in 3 patients who were conservatively treated. Transient perineal/scrotal pain or dysesthesia was observed in 75 patients (60.5%) and resolved after 3-4 weeks of non-opioid analgesics. There were no perineal infections; however, infections at the port site occurred in 3 patients (2.4%) leading to explantation of the system in all cases. The average number of adjustments to achieve the desired result was 4.3±1.8 (range 2-7). After a mean follow-up of 19.1±2.2 months (range 12-36 months), there was a significant reduction in the mean number of pads/24?h from 8.8 to 1.8 (p<0.001). The overall success rate was 93.8% with 61.6% of the patients being dry and 32.2% of the patients showing improvement.

Conclusions

The results of the study demonstrate the safety and efficacy to date of the ATOMS system for treatment of stress urinary incontinence after radical prostatectomy.