Bulbourethral composite suspension:: a new operative technique for post-prostatectomy incontinence

PURPOSE: A new bulbourethral sling procedure is proposed for patients with post-radical prostatectomy incontinence. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Bulbourethral composite suspension was performed in 16 consecutive patients, of whom 6 (38%) had severe stress incontinence and depended on a condom urinal catheter. Urinary stress incontinence was assessed preoperatively by a modified pad test, urethrocystoscopy and urodynamic evaluation. The procedure was performed with a longitudinal perineal and a transverse suprapubic incision with the patient under regional anesthesia. We placed a porcine dermis for urethral protection and a polypropylene retropubic sling, which was tied suprapubically with the patient coughing and during retrograde urethral closure pressure monitoring at 60 cm H2O. RESULTS: Preoperative evaluation excluded detrusor instability and urethral stricture. The polypropylene band was placed without neurogenic or vascular complications. All patients had primary wound healing. Patients reported only minimal postoperative pain. Clinical followup was performed a median of 14 months postoperatively (range 6 to 32). Of the 16 patients 11 (69%) were completely dry and 1 (6%) reported improved continence, while 4 (25%) had no benefit, including 2 who underwent an artificial sphincter procedure. Preoperative mean daily pad use decreased from 7 (range 2 to 12) to 1 (range 0 to 10) postoperatively (p = 0.0004) and postoperative quality of life improved significantly (p <0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Bulbourethral composite suspension is a new, efficient operative sling technique in patients with severe post-prostatectomy stress urinary continence. Because morbidity and complications are low, this new technique may become an alternative to artificial urinary sphincter implantation. Long-term observation of urethral and detrusor function is necessary to elucidate the specific contribution of bulbourethral composite suspension in restoring urinary continence after radical prostatectomy.