Systematic review of surgical treatment of post radical prostatectomy stress urinary incontinence

Surgical management of post prostatectomy incontinence

Post prostatectomy incontinence (PPI) is a well-recognized and bothersome complication following radical prostatectomy. Conservative measures such as pelvic floor physical therapy, biofeedback, and medication are first line management of PPI. When first line therapies fail, patients are offered a variety of surgical procedures based on the degree of incontinence, prior radiation therapy, and comorbidities. Among the various surgical options, placement of an artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) is the gold standard for PPI. However, AUS placement has a high rate of re-operation and requires good manual dexterity. In cases of mild-moderate incontinence, especially in patients without prior radiation therapy, male slings and proACT are a less invasive option. Bulking therapy, although highly successful for female stress urinary incontinence (SUI), is not currently advised in the treatment of male SUI. Regardless of surgical approach used to treat PPI, providers should counsel patients regarding risks of re-operation and have an open an honest discussion regarding the degree of continence that can be restored following each procedure.

Adjustable Male Sling for The Treatment of Postprostatectomy Stress Urinary Incontinence: Intermediate-Term Follow-Up Results

Objective To evaluate the outcomes of adjustable male sling (Argus®) implantation in the management of post-prostatectomy incontinence (PPI) with intermediate-term follow-up results. Materials and methods The data on adjustable male sling surgery between September 2015 and September 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were preoperatively evaluated with a voiding diary, 24-hour pad test, and validated questionnaire. Functional outcomes were also evaluated using 24-hour pad requirement and pad weight, and the International Consultation on Incontinence (ICIQ-SF) score. Results A total of 16 patients (eight having undergone the transurethral resection of the prostate [TUR-P] and eight radical prostatectomy [RP]) were enrolled in the study. Thirteen patients had moderate (81.25%) PPI, and three patients (18.75%) had severe PPI. With the mean follow-up of 36.9±14.3 months, nine patients (56.2%) were noted as cured and four (25%) as improved, with an overall success rate of 81.2%. At the last follow-up visit, the median number of pads used per day decreased from 3.5 to 1, and the 24-hour pad test result decreased from 300 to 50 gr (p < 0.001 and p < 0.001, respectively). The ICIQ-SF score decreased from the initial mean of 15.8 ± 2.3 to 7.1 ± 6.6 (p < 0.001). When the outcomes were compared according to the etiology, there was no statistically significant difference (p = 0.522). Conclusions Male sling surgery can be performed safely in patients with moderate and severe stress urinary incontinence with low complication and high success rates. The results of TUR-P-related PPI are similar to those of surgery performed due to the etiology of RP.

Adjustable continence therapy (proACT) for the treatment of male stress urinary incontinence post-prostatectomy: a systematic review and meta-analysis (2023 update)

PURPOSE

Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) is a key factor for post-prostatectomy (RP) quality of life. Current international guidelines struggle to find the adequate place for each kind of surgeries. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis considering updated evidence is to assess the efficacy and safety of proACT in treating male patients with post-RP SUI.

METHODS

A review of the literature was performed by searching the PubMed database. We narrowed included studies with adult male patients with SUI; outcomes included pads or pad weight per day and quality of life (QOL) questionnaires, as well as safety outcomes.

RESULTS

18 studies involving 1570 patients mean age of 68.8 (EC 2.1) were included. The mean follow-up reported was 34.7 months (EC 17.7; median 38.5; range 1-128 months). An average of 60.7% (EC 27) and 40.4% of patients suffered from mild-to-moderate and severe incontinence, respectively. The overall dryness rate was 55.1% (EC 19.3) while respecting the definition of 0-1 pads per day, and the mean dryness rate was 53% (EC 0.2). The mean overall complication rate was 31.2% (EC 18.3%), including an explantation rate of 26.5% (EC 15.3) and a reoperation rate of 22.7% (EC 8.7). The methodological quality of the 18 studies was very heterogeneous.

CONCLUSION

Implantation of proACT adjustable balloons is a minimally invasive technique that provides medium outcomes (53%) with a strict definition of dryness (0-1 PPD) and important complication rate (31.2%). Past of irradiation is a negative predictive factor for incontinence.

The Asia-Pacific AMS800 artificial urinary sphincter consensus statement

This Asia-Pacific (AP) AMS 800™ artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) consensus statement aims to provide a set of practical recommendations to assist surgeons with the AMS 800 device surgery. The AP consensus committee consisted of key opinion leaders with extensive experience with AMS 800 surgery across several AP countries. The panel reviewed and discussed relevant findings with emphasis on locoregional and specific clinical challenges relevant to the AP region. Recommendations were made in key areas namely (1) patient selection and informed consent process; (2) preoperative assessment; (3) dealing with co-existing urological disorders; (4) surgical principles and intraoperative troubleshooting; (5) postoperative care; (6) special populations; and (7) cost analysis and comparative review. The AMS 800 device should be offered to males with moderate to severe stress urinary incontinence (SUI). Full informed consent should be undertaken, and emphasis is placed on surgical contraindications and high-risk candidates. The presence of a surgical mentor or referral to experts is recommended in complex AUS candidates. Preoperative cystoscopy with or without multichannel urodynamic study is necessary and patients with pre-existing urological disorders should be treated adequately and clinically stable before surgery. Adherence to strict patient selection and safe surgical principles are critical to ensure excellent clinical outcomes and minimize complications. Given that InhibiZone-coated device is not available in many AP countries, the use of prophylactic antibiotics pre-and post-operatively are recommended. The AMS 800 device should be prepared according to the manufacturer's guidelines and remains a cost-effective treatment for male SUI. The AMS 800 device remains the surgical benchmark for male SUI but is associated with certain mechanical limitations and a unique set of complications.

Management of Urinary Incontinence Following Radical Prostatectomy: Challenges and Solutions

Urinary incontinence is a common and debilitating problem in patients undergoing radical prostatectomy. Current methods developed to treat urinary incontinence include conservative treatments, such as lifestyle education, pelvic muscle floor training, pharmacotherapy, and surgical treatments, such as bulking agents use, artificial urinary sphincter implants, retrourethral transobturator slings, and adjustable male sling system. Pelvic floor muscle exercise is the most common management to improve the strength of striated muscles of the pelvic floor to try to recover the sphincter weakness. Antimuscarinic drugs, phosphodiesterase inhibitors, duloxetine, and a-adrenergic drugs have been proposed as medical treatments for urinary incontinence after radical prostatectomy. Development of new surgical techniques, new surgical tools and materials, such as male slings, has provided an improvement of outcomes after UI surgery. Such improvement is still ongoing, and the uptake of new devices might lead to even better outcomes after UI surgery.

ProACT in the management of stress urinary incontinence after radical prostatectomy. What happens after 8 years of follow up? monocentric analysis in 42 patients

OBJECTIVES

Stress urinary incontinence is defined by a complaint of any involuntary loss of urine on effort or physical exertion or on sneezing or coughing and represents a major complication after radical prostatectomy. According to surgical technique, incidence of post-prostatectomy incontinence varies from open (7-39.5%), laparoscopic (5-33.3%) or robotic-assisted (4-31%) approaches. The ProACT^® device (Uromedica, Inc., MN) is a possible surgical option for the treatment of this condition.

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed surgical records of consecutive patients underwent ProACT^® implantation in our department between January 2006 to November 2010. We collected data at 6 and 12 months after surgical approach about the daily pad use, International Prostatic Symptoms Score and its quality of life domain.

RESULTS

42 patients were included in the final analysis. Most patients (92.9%) received minimally invasive surgery for treating prostate cancer. During the follow up after 6 and 12 months, the daily pad, International Prostatic Symptom Score and its quality of life domain significantly improved compared to preoperative outcomes. The logistic regression analysis found that presence of comorbidities was the only predictive factor of low satisfaction rate (PGE-I > 2) in patients who underwent ProACT^® implant.

CONCLUSIONS

ProACT^® implant represents an effective and safe treatment for post-prostatectomy stress urinary incontinence with a high satisfaction degree and a low rate of complications.

Efficacy and Complications of the Re-Adjustable Male Sling System for Stress Urinary Incontinence after Radical Prostatectomy

The aim of this study was to investigate the outcomes of re-adjustable male slings in pa-tients with postoperative stress urinary incontinence (SUI) following radical prostatectomy (RP). We retrospectively analyzed 18 patients with SUI following RP for prostate cancer, who were treated with re-adjustable male slings from January 2016 to December 2021. The clinical outcomes were evaluated based on daily pad usage and urodynamic studies, both preoperatively and post-operatively. The degree of SUI was categorized as either mild, moderate, or severe. Success was defined as no more pad use or significantly decreased pad use. Complications were classified ac-cording to the Clavien-Dindo system. The mean age of patients was 70.4 ± 5.9 years, and 61.1% of cases were diagnosed as locally advanced prostate cancer. Mild, moderate, and severe SUI were reported as 33.3%, 50.0%, and 16.7%, respectively. The average daily pad use after RP was 3.3 pads and there was a significant reduction in the number of daily pads used after the re-adjustable male sling procedure (3.3 vs. 1.3; p = 0.002). Overall, the operation was considered successful in 11 pa-tients (61.1%), 1 case showed improvement (5.6%), and it was considered unsuccessful in 6 patients (33.3%). Impressively, in the severe incontinence subgroup (three patients), one (33.3%) had im-provement and one (33.3%) had success. Transient perineal discomfort after the operation was the most common complaint. However, two patients had severe complications with bowel injury during sling implantation (Clavien-Dindo grade III). The re-adjustable male sling system was an efficient surgical treatment option for post-RP SUI, even in a locally advanced disease dominant population. One should pay attention to the complication of bowel perforation during surgery.

Evaluation of Benefits and Harms of Surgical Treatments for Post-radical Prostatectomy Urinary Incontinence: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

CONTEXT

No meta-analysis has comprehensively addressed both benefits and harms, or the certainty of evidence of the implantable continence devices used in men to treat postprostatectomy urinary incontinence (PPI).

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the benefits and harms of surgical treatments for patients suffering from PPI and assess the certainty of evidence. The primary benefit was cure (one or fewer pad per day), and the primary harm was reoperations defined by surgical procedures following implantation.

EVIDENCE ACQUISITION

We perform a search of Medline, PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and gray literature. We included observational studies addressing PPI surgical interventions if they involved cohorts of ≥50 participants. The Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluations (GRADE) approach provided the framework for certainty of evidence assessment informed by value and preference judgments provided by patients, and an advocacy group member (Canadian Cancer Society).

EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS

Of 85 observational studies involving 13 100 patients, three addressed bulking agents, 35 male synthetic slings, ten adjustable continence therapies (ACTs), and 37 artificial urinary sphincters (AUSs). Cure was 26.1% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 10.6-51.4, I2 = 92.8%, very-low-quality evidence) for bulking agents, 58.6% (95% CI: 51.3-65.5, I2 = 89.1%, low-quality evidence) for slings, 63.2% (95% CI: 57.6-68.5, I2 = 22.5%, very-low-quality evidence) for ACT, and 74.0% (95% CI:61.2-83.7, I2 = 92.1%, very-low-quality evidence) for AUS. Estimated rates of reoperation were 5.8% (95% CI: 1.9-11.6, I2 = 94.1%, moderate-quality evidence) for slings, 23.8% (95% CI: 5.9-61.0, I2 = 95.5%, low-quality evidence) for ACT, and 22.2% (95% CI: 15.2-31.3, I2 = 92.3%, high-quality evidence) for AUS.

CONCLUSIONS

Available evidence regarding the benefits of surgical interventions for PPI remains mainly uncertain while suggesting important harms. These results should guide consent procedures for PPI surgery in the context of shared decision-making, with disclosure of the uncertainty of evidence.

PATIENT SUMMARY

Despite being used worldwide, available evidence regarding the benefits of surgeries to treat postprostatectomy urinary incontinence remains mainly uncertain while suggesting important harms. This highlights the need for a more rigorous evaluation process for commercially available surgical devices.

Adjustable continence balloons in postprostatectomy incontinence: Outcomes and complications

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to assess the mid-term efficacy and safety of adjustable continence therapy (ProACT™) for the treatment of male stress urinary incontinence (SUI) after radical prostatectomy (RP).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Single-center retrospective study including male patients implanted with ProACT™ periurethral balloons for SUI after RP between 2007 and 2017, mainly with flexible cystoscopic guidance. Efficacy was assessed using a composite endpoint with subjective (patient's impression of improvement (PII), using a 0-100 numeral rating scale) and objective outcomes (decrease in daily pad use). Postoperative success was defined as a PII ≥ 80%, associated with the use of 0-1 pad daily. Improvement was defined as a PII ≥ 50% and a decrease ≥50% in the number of daily pads used.

RESULTS

Two hundred men with a median age of 68 (64-73) years were included. Seventeen percent (n = 34) had had prior radiotherapy and 15.5% (n = 31) had had prior SUI surgery. The median follow-up was 43 (19-71) months. The severity of SUI was as follows: mild in 119 (59.5%), moderate in 48 (24%), and severe in 33 patients (16.5%). Severe SUI and a history of prior radiotherapy were associated with a lower success rate (p = 0.033 and p < 0.0001). The overall reoperation rate was 34%, with 5.6% (n = 11) requiring a third implantation. Of the patients, 29.4% (n = 58) required an artificial urinary sphincter to treat SUI. At the last follow up, among the overall population, the success rate was 40.1% and the median PII was 18.3%. For patients in whom the balloons were still in place (n = 132), the cumulative success and improvement rate was 78%, with a median PII of 72%.

CONCLUSION

The minimally invasive ProACT™ device provides a clear beneficial continence outcome in patients with SUI after radical prostatectomy. Severe SUI or prior radiotherapy were associated with a lower success rate in our study.

The AdVance Sling and Male Sexual Function: A Prospective Analysis on the Impact of Pelvic Mesh on Erectile and Orgasmic Domains in Sexually Active Men With Postprostatectomy Stress Urinary Incontinence

Background

Transvaginal pelvic mesh surgery has been shown to cause female sexual dysfunction.

Aim

To evaluate the sexual function impact of AdVance male sling (MS) on erectile and orgasmic domains.

Methods

A review of a prospectively collected database was conducted in all sexually active men who underwent AdVance MS for postprostatectomy stress urinary incontinence between 2012 and 2018.

Outcomes

Patient demographics, clinical outcomes, and validated questionnaires such as the Brief Male Sexual Function Inventory (BMSFI), International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) and Patient Global Impression of Improvement (PGI-I) were reviewed at 6, 12 and 24 months.

Results

Of the total of 65 men who received AdVance sling, an increase in IIEF-5 score ≥5 points were reported in 10 (15%) patients with no patients complained of deteriorating erectile function at 24 months. The improvement in orgasmic function (Question 10 on IIEF-15) was reported in 22 (34%) patients while 3 (5%) patients reported lower orgasmic scores. The sexual domains scores in BMSFI were higher in 40 (62%) patients, especially with regards to sexual desire (Question 1 and 2) and satisfaction with sex life (Question 11). No patient reports pelvic or urethral pain. The reported improvement in erectile and orgasm scores remained similar throughout the 24-months follow-up period. All 20 patients with preoperative climacturia reported resolution of their symptoms during sexual activity. The overall PGI-I was 1.4 (1–3) and men with a higher continence rate were more likely to report better male sexual function (P = .044).

Clinical implications

AdVance MS appears to improve erectile and orgasmic domains, and there is a positive correlation between urinary continence and male sexual function.

Strengths and limitations

Strengths of this study include the prospective large patient population analyzed regarding the impact of MS on male sexual function with the use of validated instruments for erectile, orgasmic, and urinary domains. Limitations include single-centre data, relatively short-term follow-up study and lack of a comparative arm.

Conclusion

Despite the reported adverse effect of sexual dysfunction following pelvic mesh in the female population, the AdVance PMS appears to improve male sexual function with regards to erectile and orgasm domains.

Chung E, Wang J. The AdVance Sling and Male Sexual Function: A Prospective Analysis on the Impact of Pelvic Mesh on Erectile and Orgasmic Domains in Sexually Active Men With Postprostatectomy Stress Urinary Incontinence. Sex Med 2022;10:100529.

Orgasm-associated urinary incontinence (climacturia) following radical prostatectomy: a review of pathophysiology and current treatment options

Orgasm-associated urinary incontinence, or climacturia, is a common side effect after radical prostatectomy (RP) that is gaining more attention due to the distress it causes to patients. A range of treatment options have been reported in the literature and are outlined in this review. The goal of our study is to review the pathophysiology and current management options for climacturia following RP. A PubMed search was used to review the current literature relating to the pathophysiology and the treatment of postprostatectomy climacturia. We reviewed the currently available treatment options and their success rates for climacturia. Several techniques were found to subjectively help improve the amount and bother of patients' climacturia. These include pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT), penile variable tension loop, soft silicone occlusion loop, artificial urethral sphincter, male urethral sling, and the Mini-Jupette graft. Success rates ranged from 48% to 100% depending on the modality used. For patients with erectile dysfunction and climacturia, the Mini-Jupette graft could be a valuable option. Given the lack of validated measurement tools and management options, climacturia has become a challenge for urologists. Albeit a condition that has not garnered much attention, there are several management options from conservative to invasive treatments that have shown a hopeful promise for the treatment of climacturia. These options should be discussed with patients to determine the best treatment for each individual. More clinical trials are needed to assess the efficacy and impact of the different treatment options before a definitive recommendation regarding management can be made.

Narrative review of male urethral sling for post-prostatectomy stress incontinence: sling type, patient selection, and clinical applications

Male stress urinary incontinence (SUI) following prostate treatment is a devastating complaint for many patients. While the artificial urinary sphincter is the gold standard treatment for male SUI, the urethral sling is also popular due to ease of placement, lack of mechanical complexity, and absence of manual dexterity requirement. A literature review was performed of male urethral sling articles spanning the last zz20 years using the PubMed search engine. Clinical practice guidelines were also reviewed for comparison. Four categories of male urethral sling were evaluated: the transobturator AdVance and AdVance XP, the bone-anchored InVance, the quadratic Virtue, and the adjustable sling series. Well selected patients with mild to moderate urinary incontinence and no prior history of radiation experienced the highest success rates at long-term follow up. Patients with post-prostatectomy climacturia also reported improvement in leakage after sling. Concurrent penile prosthesis and sling techniques were reviewed, with favorable short-term outcomes demonstrated. Male urethral sling is a user-friendly surgical procedure with durable long-term outcomes in carefully selected men with mild stress urinary incontinence. Multiple sling types are available with varying degrees of efficacy and complication rates. Longer follow-up and larger cohort sizes are needed for treatment of newer indications such as climacturia as well as techniques involving dual placement of sling and penile prosthesis.

Current Management of Post-radical Prostatectomy Urinary Incontinence

Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in men worldwide. Radical prostatectomy and radiation beam therapy are the most common treatment options for localized prostate cancer and have different associated complications. The etiology of post prostatectomy incontinence is multifactorial. There is evidence in the literature that anatomic support and pelvic innervation are important factors in the etiology of post-prostatectomy incontinence. Among the many surgical and technical factors proposed in the literature, extensive dissection during surgery, damage to the neurovascular bundle and the development of postoperative fibrosis have a substantial negative impact on the continence status of men undergoing RP. Sparing of the bladder neck and anterior, and possibly posterior, fixation of the bladder-urethra anastomosis are associated with better continence rates. Overactive bladder syndrome (OAB) is multifactorial and the exact role of prostate surgery in the development of OAB is still under debate. There are several variables that could contribute to detrusor overactivity. Detrusor overactivity in patients after radical prostatectomy has been mainly attributed to a partial denervation of the bladder during surgery. However, together with bladder denervation, other hypotheses, such as the urethrovesical mechanism, have been described. Although there is conflicting evidence regarding the importance of conservative treatment after post-prostatectomy urinary incontinence, pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) is still considered as the first treatment choice. Duloxetin, either alone or in combination with PFMT, may hasten recovery of urinary incontinence but is often associated with severe gastrointestinal and central nervous side effects. However, neither PFMT nor duloxetine may cure male stress urinary incontinence. The therapeutic decision and the chosen treatment option must be individualized for each patient according to clinical and social factors. During the recent years, the development of new therapeutic choices such as male sling techniques provided a more acceptable management pathway for less severe forms of urinary incontinence related to radical prostatectomy. Following this perspective, technological improvements and the emergence of new dedicated devices currently create the premises for a continuously positive evolution of clinical outcomes in this particular category of patients.

Bulkamid® injection in men: Cadaver study of operative technique and putative mechanism of action

Objective:

Post-prostatectomy incontinence (PPI) is relatively common and of variable degree. Treatment of small-volume persistent PPI with a male sling or an artificial urinary sphincter is overly invasive, and the concept of intraurethral injection is very appealing in this situation. Bulkamid® is a nanoparticulate polyacrylamide and water polymer gel which is being used successfully in female stress urinary incontinence. We assessed the feasibility and effects of a four-point intraurethral technique on maximum urethral pressure (MUP) in male cadavers.

Methods:

Urethral pressure profile (UPP) was measured twice on two male fresh-frozen cadaver models before and after a four-point injection of 2 mL of Bulkamid® intraurethrally at the level of the sphincter in 0.5 mL aliquots using a 21Ch cystoscope with a 12° telescope and a 23G needle.

Results:

A clear UPP trace was recordable in both cadavers. The mean MUP at baseline was 38 cm H2O, and the mean MUP following Bulkamid® intraurethral injection increased to 55 cm H2O.

Conclusions:

Bulkamid® intraurethral injection in male cadavers is a simple technique that increases MUP. This increase in MUP may allow for treatment of low-volume PPI in men following prostate cancer treatment and warrants further study in the clinical situation.

Level of evidence:

Level 4.

Advance Xp® Male Sling can be an Effective and Safe Treatment for Post-Prostatectomy Stress Urinary Incontinence Also in Patients with Prior History of External Beam Radiation Therapy: A Multicentric Experience

Background. Post-prostatectomy stress urinary incontinence (PPSUI) is one of the major complaints after radical prostatectomy. Transoburator male sling (TMS) placement is indicated in persistent mild to moderate PPSUI. External beam radiation therapy (EBRT) might be a negative prognostic factor for TMS outcomes. Study objective was to analyze EBRT impact on TMS outcome. Methods. We retrospectively investigated patients submitted to TMS for PPSUI, with or without previous EBRT, in two tertiary referral centers since 2010. Objective outcome was measured through ICIQ-SF, 1-hour pad test, and pad per die and subjective improvement through PGI-I. Patients were divided according to EBRT to make in-group and between-group comparisons. Results. Patients were 56, 18 (32.1%) had previous EBRT. Median follow-up was 43.0 months (IQR: 22.3-64.0). TMS was placed at mean 18.8 months (SD 4.6) after EBRT. TMS determined a statistically significant reduction of pads, 1-hour pad test, and ICIQ-SF score (P<.05). Improvement diminished during long-term follow-up. At last follow-up, 12 patients (21.4%) used 1 safety pad, while 15 (26.8%) used 0 pads. Median PGI-I was 2 (IQR 2-3). Recorded complications were 9 (16.1%) and none exceeded Clavien-Dindo grade 2. There were no differences in outcomes, failures, and complications between groups. TMS failures were 6 (10.7%), 2 of whom in the EBRT group. Four of them (7.1%) subsequently placed an artificial urinary sphincter (AUS). Conclusion. Advance XP© placement seems effective and safe in well-selected patients complaining with PPSUI, even after EBRT. Surgical outcomes slightly deteriorate over time. Further studies are needed in these patients to assess TMS efficacy.

Artificial urinary sphincter surgery in the special populations: neurological, revision, concurrent penile prosthesis and female stress urinary incontinence groups

The artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) remains the standard of care in men with severe stress urinary incontinence (SUI) following prostate surgery and radiation. While the current AUS provides an effective, safe, and durable treatment option, it is not without its limitations and complications, especially with regard to its utility in some “high-risk” populations. This article provides a critical review of relevant publications pertaining to AUS surgery in specific high-risk groups such as men with spinal cord injury, revision cases, concurrent penile prosthesis implant, and female SUI. The discussion of each category includes a brief review of surgical challenge and a practical action-based set of recommendations. Our increased understandings of the pathophysiology of various SUI cases coupled with effective therapeutic strategies to enhance AUS surgery continue to improve clinical outcomes of many patients with SUI.

Regenerated Cell Therapy for Stress Urinary Incontinence: A Meta-Analysis

PURPOSE

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of regenerated cell therapy for stress urinary incontinence (UI) in humans.

METHODS

We searched articles from PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library database published before February 24, 2020. Of 396 records identified, 23 articles on human clinical research met our criteria, including a total of 890 patients. Stata/SE12.0 software was used to analyze cure, efficiency (cure rate plus improvement rate), and complication rates.

RESULTS

No significant differences in cure rates and effective rates were observed for any cell type in males. However, in females, the myocytes with fibroblasts subgroup (82%) and nucleated cells with platelets subgroup (89%) exhibited significantly higher cure rates compared with the other two subgroups (25% and 36%). Pooled effective rates of myocytes and fibroblasts (92%) and nucleated cells with platelets (97%) were also higher compared with the other two subgroups (72% and 60%). Pooled complication rates were 23% and 26% in males and females, respectively, and there were some differences among subgroups. Although some studies reported postoperative complications, no serious complications were reported and most recovered within 1-2 weeks.

CONCLUSIONS

Limited studies have indicated the safety and effectiveness of regenerated cells for treating stress UI in the follow-up period, which may be an ideal method to treat stress UI in the future. Moreover, nucleated cells with platelets and myocytes with fibroblasts were markedly effective, but whether cell injection therapies elicit superior effects need further confirmation.

Multicentered Assessment of Clinical Outcomes and Factors Associated With Failure of the Adjustable TransObturator Male System (ATOMS)

OBJECTIVE

To assess postoperative outcomes from the Adjustable TransObturator Male System (ATOMS) and identify factors influencing failure to achieve continence.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A multicentered analysis was performed on all patients treated for postprostatectomy incontinence using the third-generation ATOMS at 9 Canadian tertiary referral centers. The primary outcome was continence (defined as requiring ≤1 pad postoperatively for patients requiring ≥2 pads preoperatively and 0 pads for those requiring 1 pad preoperatively). Secondary outcomes included improvement (>50% change in pad use), patient satisfaction, explantation, and postoperative complications.

RESULTS

Two hundred and eighty nine patients with a mean age of 68.9 years were analyzed. Pre-operatively mean pad per day use was 4.2 (1-12), 31.5% of patients reported severe incontinence (≥5 pads/day), 33.9% had concurrent radiotherapy and 19.4% had failed previous incontinence surgery. Overall continence rate was 73.3% (n = 212) at a mean follow-up of 19.6 months. More than eighty nine percent (89.3%) (n = 258) of patients experienced >50% improvement, 84.4% (n = 244) of patients were satisfied with the results of surgery. More than seven percent (7.9%) (n = 23) required device explantation. On multivariate Cox regression analysis, concurrent radiotherapy (hazard ratio [H.R.] 2.3, P < .001), diabetes (H.R. 2.2, P = .007) and increased pre-operative pad usage (H.R. 1.1, P = .02) were each associated with failure to achieve continence, while patient age (P = .60), obesity (P = .08), prior urethral stenosis (P = .56), and prior incontinence surgery (P = .13) were not. Radiation therapy was also associated with device explantation (H.R. 2.7, P = .02).

CONCLUSION

ATOMS is a safe and efficacious for treatment of postprostatectomy incontinence. However, patients with prior radiation, increased pre-operative pad use, or diabetes are less likely to achieve continence.

Complications after male adjustable suburethral sling implantation

Introduction

Argus suburethral sling implantation is a minimally invasive operation with the possibility to adjust the tension of the sling at any time after the procedure, which provides good treatment results for male stress urinary incontinence (SUI).

Aim

To determine the predictive factors, the incidence, severity and timing of the onset of complications after Argus sling implantation for males with post-operative SUI.

Material and methods

A total of 41 patients who underwent Argus sling implantation due to post-operative SUI were included. Median follow-up was 12 months. All complications were captured and graded according to severity and classified by timing of onset. Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify predictors of the most common side effects.

Results

Overall 22 (54%) of 41 males have experienced 31 complications. Three (7%) patients have experienced only intra-operative, 16 (39%) patients only post-operative and 3 (7%) patients both intra-operative and post-operative complications. The most common intra-operative complications were bladder perforation (12%) and external iliac vein injury (5%), while post-operative complications were acute urinary retention (29%), infection (10%) and perineal pain (7%). Previous radiotherapy has significantly increased the risk of intra-operative complications, while a non-significant tendency was observed for younger age, previous androgen deprivation therapy and grade 3 SUI. In terms of severity, most post-operative complications were classified as grade 3 according to the modified Clavien-Dindo system.

Conclusions

Argus sling implantation provides a tolerable complication rate, where acute urinary retention was the most common side effect. Previous radiotherapy significantly increases the risk of serious intra-operative complications.

Is pre-operative urodynamic bladder function the true predictor of outcome of male sling for post prostatectomy incontinence?

PURPOSE

To investigate pre-operative urodynamic parameters in male sling patients to ascertain whether this might better predict surgical outcomes and facilitate patient selection.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective, case notes and video-urodynamics, review of men who underwent AdVanceXP male sling in three London hospitals between 2012 and 2019. Urodynamics were performed in all centres, while retrograde leak point pressure (RLPP) was performed in one centre.

RESULTS

Successful outcome was seen in 99/130 (76%) of men who required one pad or less per day. The dry rate was 51%. Pad usage was linked to worse surgical outcomes, mean 2.6 (range 1-6.5) for success vs 3.6 (range 1-10) although the ranges were wide (p = 0.002). 24 h pad weight also reached statistical significance (p = 0.05), with a mean of 181 g for success group versus 475 g for the non-successful group. The incidence of DO in the non-successful group was significantly higher than in successful group (55% versus 29%, p = 0.0009). Bladder capacity less than 250 ml was also associated with worse outcomes (p = 0.003). Reduced compliance was not correlated with outcomes (31% for success groups vs 45% for non-successful group, p = 0.15). Preoperative RLPP was performed in 60/130 patients but did not independently reach statistical significance (p = 0.25).

CONCLUSION

Urodynamic parameters related to bladder function-detrusor overactivity and reduced maximum cystometric capacity predict male sling outcomes and may help in patient selection for male sling (or sphincter) surgery; whereas urodynamic parameters of sphincter incompetency (RLPP) were not predictive. Further larger scale studies are required to confirm these findings.

Fixed or adjustable sling in the treatment of male stress urinary incontinence: results from a large cohort study

Background

Fixed and adjustable male slings for the treatment of male urinary stress incontinence became increasingly popular during the last decade. Although fixed slings are recommended for the treatment of mild to moderate stress urinary incontinence, there is still a lack of evidence regarding the precise indication for an adjustable male sling. Furthermore, there is still no evidence that one type of male sling is superior to another. However, both, adjustable and fixed slings, are commonly utilized in daily clinical practice. This current investigation aims to evaluate the differences between fixed and adjustable male slings regarding indications, complication rates and functional outcome in the treatment of male stress urinary incontinence in current clinical practice.

Methods

A total of 294 patients with a fixed and 176 patients with an adjustable male sling were evaluated in a multicenter single arm cohort trial. Data collection was performed retrospectively according the medical record. Functional outcome was prospectively analyzed by standardized, validated questionnaires. Descriptive statistics was performed to present patient characteristics, complication rates and functional outcome. A chi2-test for categorical and independent t-test for continuous variables was performed to identify heterogeneity between the groups and to correlate preoperative characteristics with the outcome. A P value <0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results

Patients with higher degree of urinary incontinence (P<0.001) and risk factors such as history of pelvic irradiation (P<0.001) or prior surgery for urethral stricture (P=0.032) were more likely to receive an adjustable MS. Complication rates were comparable except for infection (P=0.009, 0 vs. 2.3%) and pain (P=0.001, 1.7% vs. 11.3%) which occurred more frequently in adjustable slings. Functional outcome according validated questionnaires demonstrated no differences between fixed and adjustable male slings.

Conclusions

Adjustable male slings are more frequently utilized in patients with higher degree of incontinence and risk factors compared to fixed slings. No differences could be identified between functional outcome which may imply an advantage for adjustability. However, pain and infection rates were significantly higher in adjustable MS and should be considered in the decision process for sling type.

Concurrent Penile Prosthesis and Artificial Urinary Sphincter versus Penile Prosthesis and Male Sling: A National Multi-Institutional Analysis of National Surgical Quality Improvement Program Database Comparing Postoperative Morbidity

Purpose

We aimed to assess the 30-day morbidity in patients undergoing combined insertion of penile prosthesis (PP) and artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) vs. PP and male sling (MS).

Materials and Methods

The National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database was queried to identify patients who underwent placement of AUS or MS combined with PP. Patient demographics, postoperative morbidity including complications, readmission and reoperation rates were recorded. Student t-test and chi-square or Fischer's exact test were used as appropriate.

Results

Forty-one patients met selection criteria between 2010 and 2016. Overall, 26 patients received PP and AUS vs. 15 that received PP and MS. Average age was similar in both groups (64.8±6.6 years vs. 62.3±6.3 years, p=0.254). Diabetes mellitus was more prevalent in PP+MS group compared to AUS+PP group (46.7% vs. 11.5%, p=0.022). Average length of stay was higher in PP+AUS group compared to PP+MS group (2.2±0.6 days vs. 1.8±0.4 days, p=0.017). Postoperative morbidity was reported in four patients in PP+AUS group. No reported complications in PP+MS group. In PP+AUS group, complications included one patient who developed urinary tract infection, one developed surgical site infection, readmission in two for postoperative infection, and one return to the operating room. No reported prosthesis explantation or revision in either groups.

Conclusions

Our results showed that 30-day morbidity was recorded in the PP+AUS group and none in the PP+MS group. The complication and readmission rates remain comparable to the previous reports in both groups.

Systematic review and meta-analysis comparing Adjustable Transobturator Male System (ATOMS) and Adjustable Continence Therapy (ProACT) for male stress incontinence

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Urinary incontinence is one of the most serious complications of prostate cancer treatment. The objective of this study was to assess efficacy and safety of Adjustable Transobturator Male System (ATOMS) compared to Adjustable Continence Therapy (proACT) for male stress urinary incotinence according to literature findings.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A systematic review and meta-analysis on adjustable devices ATOMS and ProACT is presented. Studies on female or neurogenic incontinence were excluded. Differences between ATOMS and proACT in primary objective: dryness status (no-pad or one safety pad/day) after initial device adjustment, and in secondary objectives: improvement, satisfaction, complications and device durability, were estimated using random-effect model. Statistical heterogeneity among studies included in the meta-analysis was assessed using tau2, Higgins´s I2 statistics and Cochran´s Q test.

RESULTS

Combined data of 41 observational studies with 3059 patients showed higher dryness (68 vs. 55%; p = .01) and improvement (91 vs. 80%; p = .007) rate for ATOMS than ProACT. Mean pad-count (-4 vs. -2.5 pads/day; p = .005) and pad-test decrease (-425.7 vs. -211.4 cc; p < .0001) were also significantly lower. Satisfaction was higher for ATOMS (87 vs. 56%; p = .002) and explant rate was higher for proACT (5 vs. 24%; p < .0001). Complication rate for ProACT was also higher, but not statistically significant (17 vs. 26%; p = .07). Mean follow-up was 25.7 months, lower for ATOMS than ProACT (20.8 vs. 30.6 months; p = .02). The rate of working devices favoured ATOMS at 1-year (92 vs. 76; p < .0001), 2-years (85 vs. 61%; p = .0008) and 3-years (81 vs. 58%; p = .0001). Significant heterogeneity was evidenced, due to variable incontinence severity baseline, difficulties for a common reporting of complications, different number of adjustments and time of follow-up and absence of randomized studies.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite the limitations that studies available are exclusively descriptive and the follow-up is limited, literature findings confirm ATOMS is more efficacious, with higher patient satisfaction and better durability than ProACT to treat male stress incontinence.

Sling Surgery for Male Urinary Incontinence Including Post Prostatectomy Incontinence: A Challenge to the Urologist

The management of postprostatectomy urinary incontinence (PPI) is still challenging for urologists. In recent decades, various kinds of male sling system have been developed and introduced; however, they have not yet shown as good a result as that of artificial urinary sphincter (AUS). However, a male sling is still in an important position because patients have a high demand for sling implantation, and it can allow the avoidance of the use of mechanical devices like AUS. Recently, the male sling has been widely used in mild-to-moderate PPI patients; however, there are no studies that compare individual devices. Thus, it is hard to directly compare the success rate of operation, and it is impossible to judge which sling system is more excellent. It is expected that many sling options will be available in addition to AUS in the near future with the technological development of various male slings and the accumulation of long-term surgical outcomes. In that in patients with PPI, sling implantation is an option that must be explained rather than an option that need not be explained to them, this review would share the latest outcomes and complications.

Recent advances in surgical management of urinary incontinence

There have been several recent developments in surgical treatments for male and female incontinence. This article reviews the current options for treatments of urge and stress incontinence in men and women. Treatments for urge incontinence discussed include intradetrusor onabotulinum toxin A, sacral neuromodulation and percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation. For stress incontinence, suburethral mesh, bulking agents, autologous slings, colposuspension, male slings and artificial urinary sphincters are assessed.

Evaluation of benefits and harms of surgical treatments for post-radical prostatectomy urinary incontinence: a systematic review and meta-analysis protocol

Background: Post-radical prostatectomy urinary incontinence (PPI) is a frequent and feared complication that can affect approximately 25% of patients. Between 1 and 10% of patients suffering from PPI will require surgery. The effectiveness of the available surgical interventions has only been compared in a few randomized controlled trials and the available reviews have important limitations regarding both benefits and harms that make them insufficient to inform decision-making. The aim of the study is to provide systematic summaries of benefits and harms of contemporary surgical treatment options for PPI through systematic review and meta-analysis using GRADE methodology and reporting in accord with the PRISMA-P statement. Methods: Studies pertaining to bulking agents, male synthetic slings, compressive balloon systems (ProACT) or artificial urinary sphincters (AUS) used for the treatment of patients suffering from PPI will be included. A systematic search will be conducted using the OVID and PubMED platforms in MEDLINE, Embase and Cochrane databases, and reference lists of relevant reviews and guidelines. Trained independent reviewers will conduct study selection and data extraction. Outcomes will include the number of pads used per day, the 24-h pad weight test, the Patient Global Impression of Improvement (PGI-I) and the Incontinence Quality of Life (IQOL) as possible benefits and the reoperations, the Clavien-Dindo complications and the other reported adverse events as the harms. When possible, pooled analyses will be completed. Risk of bias will be assessed using the CLARITY tools and a new tool for the before-and-after studies without a control group. Finally, study heterogeneity will be assessed, publication bias will be evaluated with funnel plots and quality of evidence rated for each outcome. Discussion: Our study will address patient-important outcomes and will be useful in clinical decision-making as well as identifying key elements for future research. Study registration: PROSPERO: CRD42018073923 05/12/2018.

The "Mini-Jupette" sling at the time of inflatable penile prosthesis implantation: Adequate treatment for erectile dysfunction with mild incontinence and/or climacturia after radical prostatectomy

AIM

The usual morbidity after radical prostatectomy (RP) implies, the possible need for inflatable penile prosthesis (IPP). This study aims to validate the efficacy and safety of a sling called "Mini-Jupette" concomitantly with the implantation of an IPP that will counteract mild UI (<2 pads/day) associated or not with climacturia for patients resistant to non-invasive therapeutic approach.

METHODS

We provide a detailed description with robust illustration of an original surgical technique. The method the criteria analyzed in the study and the statistical method. Retrospective data from 15 patients from 2006 to 2016 are detailed.

RESULTS

Data about erectile function, continence before and after operation are documented for this cohort with mild incontinence (15pts - 100% - mean pad/day was 1.5, SD=0.6) and climacturia (6pts-40%). Mean age was 65.9 years (SD=6.3). There were no complications but 2 patients had dysuria and one patient present urinary retention requiring temporary bladder drainage. At 6 months, incontinence were objectively cured for 80% of patients and 2 patients (13%) improve their continence by a slight activation of the implant, the climacturia disappeared in 5 patients (82%). A telephone interview shows a good durability of the results. with a mean time of 107 months follow-up.

CONCLUSION

Concomitant insertion of the "Mini-Jupette" sling during implantation of an IPP contributes reliably, safely and durably to the treatment of post-radical prostatectomy mild incontinence and/or climacturia.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

3.

Implant of ATOMS® system for the treatment of postoperative male stress urinary incontinence: results of a single centre

Purpose:

The aim of our study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of ATOMS^® system for the treatment of postoperative male stress urinary incontinence (SUI).

Materials and methods:

We retrospectively evaluated all patients treated at our institution for postoperative male SUI with ATOMS^® implant. We excluded patients with low bladder compliance (< 20 mL / cmH₂O), uncontrolled detrusor overactivity, detrusor underactivity (BCI < 100), urethral or bladder neck stricture and low cystometric capacity (< 200 mL).

Results:

From October 2014 to July 2017 we treated 52 patients, mean age 73.6 years. Most of them (92.3%) had undergone radical prostatectomy, 3.85% simple open prostatectomy, 3.85% TURP; 28.8% of patients had undergone urethral surgery, 11.5% adjuvant radiotherapy; 57.7% had already undergone surgical treatment for urinary incontinence. The average24 hours pad test was 411.6 g (180 – 1100). The mean follow-up was 20.1 months (8.1 – 41.5) 30.8% of patients were dry, 59.6% improved ≥ 50%, 7.7% improved < 50% and 1.9% unchanged. In total 73.1% reached social continence. There was a significant reduction of the 24 hours pad test and ICIQ - UI SF scores (p < 0.01).

In the postoperative follow-up we detected complications in 8 patients (19%): 5 cases of displacement of the scrotal port, in 2 cases catheterization difficulties, one case of epididimitis and concomitant superficial wound infection; no prosthesis infection, nor explants.

Radiotherapy, previous urethral surgery,previous incontinence surgery were not statistically related to social continence rates (p 0.65;p 0.11;p 0.11).

Conclusions:

The ATOMS^® system is an effective and safe surgical treatment of mild and moderate male postoperative SUI with durable results in the short term.

Risk factors for subsequent urethral atrophy in patients undergoing artificial urinary sphincter placement

OBJECTIVE

Artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) device failure or revision can be due to multiple etiologies including erosion, infection, mechanical malfunction, and urethral atrophy. However, few studies have evaluated factors that predispose patients to urethral atrophy. Here, we sought to identify preoperative and perioperative risk factors associated with urethral atrophy in men undergoing primary artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) placement for stress urinary incontinence.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

From 1987 to 2013, 1829 AUS procedures were performed at our institution. A total of 1068 patients underwent primary AUS placement and were the focus of our study. Multiple clinical and surgical variables were evaluated for a potential association with revision for atrophy. Those found to be associated with atrophy and relevant competing risks were further evaluated on multivariable analysis.

RESULTS

With a median follow-up of 4.2 years (IQR 1.3-8.1), 89 men (8.3%) had urethral atrophy requiring reoperation. Median time to revision was 4.5 years (IQR 1.9-7.6). On univariable analysis, only smaller cuff size (4.0-cm versus 4.5-cm; HR 3.1, p=0.04) was associated with an increased rate of urethral atrophy. Notably, patient age at the time of surgery (p=0.62), body mass index (0.22), and smoking status (p=1.00) were not associated with a risk of atrophy. On multivariable analysis smaller urethral cuff size remained significant (HR 2.8, 95% CI 1.1-7.1; p=0.01).

CONCLUSION

Revision surgery for urethral atrophy was performed in approximately 8% of men undergoing primary AUS placement. Utilization of a smaller AUS cuff size appears to be an independent factor associated with increased rate of urethral atrophy.

Patient pad count is a poor measure of urinary incontinence compared with 48-h pad test: results of a large-scale multicentre study

OBJECTIVE

To determine in a large population of community-dwelling incontinent patients the accuracy and determinants of pad count as a measure of urinary incontinence (UI), using data from a multicentre 48-h pad test study.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Incontinent patients, who were provided with absorbent products for the period January 2012 to March 2016, volunteered to perform a 48-h home-based pad test and to fill in a diary with information on pad usage. Correlations between UI measures (48-h pad count and pad weight gain, mean pad weight gain per pad) were calculated. Logistic regression analyses were conducted to investigate patient-related and pad usage-related factors influencing pad count.

RESULTS

A total of 14 493 patients (median age 81 years) were included, with a total of 98 362 continence products used overall during the study period. The 48-h pad count showed a weak correlation with 48-h pad weight gain (R² = 0.12; 0.19 for men and 0.11 for women) and mean pad weight gain per pad (R² = -0.03). The weakest correlation was observed among patients using >6 pads/48 h (R² = 0.02). A statistically significant negative association between pad absorption capacity and pad count was observed. Patients using products with a shaped and rectangular design had 34% and 40% higher propensity to use more pads than those using briefs (P < 0.001), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this very large observational study confirmed that pad count is a poor measure of UI severity. Pad count only measured 12% of the variability of UI volume and was affected by several patient-related and pad usage-related factors. Consequently, pad count should not be used instead of the pad test as an objective measure of UI when an accurate evaluation is required for research or clinical purposes.

Andrianne Mini-Jupette Graft at the Time of Inflatable Penile Prosthesis Placement for the Management of Post-Prostatectomy Climacturia and Minimal Urinary Incontinence

BACKGROUND

After radical prostatectomy (RP), erectile dysfunction, often necessitating the need for inflatable penile prosthesis (IPP) insertion, and urinary incontinence and climacturia can ensue.

AIM

To assess the efficacy and safety of the mini-jupette, a mesh used to approximate the medial aspects of the 2 corporotomies at the time of IPP insertion, for the management of climacturia and urine leakage in patients with minimal incontinence.

METHODS

We conducted a pilot multicenter study of patients with post-RP erectile dysfunction and climacturia and/or mild urinary incontinence (≤2 pads/day [ppd]) undergoing IPP insertion with concomitant placement of a mini-jupette graft.

OUTCOMES

Pre- and postoperative erectile function, continence and climacturia, and overall surgical outcomes were assessed.

RESULTS

38 patients underwent the mini-jupette procedure. The mean age of the population was 65.3 years (SD = 7.7). 30 had post-RP climacturia and 32 patients had post-RP incontinence (mean = 1.3 ppd, SD = 0.8). 31 patients received Coloplast Titan, 4 received AMS 700 LGX, and 3 received AMS 700 CX IPPs. Mean corporotomy size was 2.9 cm (SD = 1.0). Mean graft measurements were 3.2 cm (SD = 0.9) for width, 3.3 cm (SD = 1.3) for length, and 11.0 cm² (SD = 5.1) for surface area. At a mean follow-up of 5.1 months (SD = 6.9), there were 5 postoperative complications (13.2%) of which 4 required explantation. Climacturia and incontinence were subjectively improved in 92.8% and 85.7%, respectively. Mean ppd decreased by 1.3 postoperatively.

CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS

The Andrianne mini-jupette is a feasible adjunct to IPP placement that can be used for subsets of patients with post-RP climacturia and/or minimal incontinence.

STRENGTHS AND LIMITATIONS

Strengths of this study include the novel nature of this intervention, the multi-institutional nature of the study, and the promising results demonstrated. Limitations include the retrospective nature of the study and the heterogeneity of the techniques and grafts used by different surgeons involved.

CONCLUSION

Longer follow-up and larger patient cohorts are needed to confirm the long-term safety and benefits of this intervention. Yafi FA, Andrianne R, Alzweri L, et al. Andrianne Mini-Jupette Graft at the Time of Inflatable Penile Prosthesis Placement for the Management of Post-Prostatectomy Climacturia and Minimal Urinary Incontinence. J Sex Med 2018;15:789-796.

Outcome and complications of adjustable continence therapy (ProACT™) after radical prostatectomy: 10 years' experience in 143 patients

AIMS

To evaluate our outcomes of the adjustable continence balloons ProACT™ for the treatment of male stress urinary incontinence after radical prostatectomy.

METHODS

Between May 2007-August 2016 the ProACT™ was implanted in 143 patients without a history of radiotherapy. Endpoints were patient-reported changes in pad counts and complications. Treatment was considered successful if no pad or just one "security" pad per day sufficed, and improved if daily pad use was reduced by ≥50%.

RESULTS

Incontinence before implantation was mild in 36 (25%), moderate in 57 (40%), and severe in 50 (35%) patients. Complications within 30 days were classified by the Clavien-Dindo classification; eight (5.6%) grade I, three (2.1%) grade II, three (2.1%) grade IIIb, and 129 (90.2%) patients had no complication. Revision was done in 43 (30%) patients. The IPSS quality of life item improved significantly from 5.0 (IQR 4.0-5.0) preoperative to 2.0 (IQR 1.0-4.0) and 1.0 (IQR 0.0-3.0) 6 and 12 months after implantation, respectively. After a median follow up of 56 months (range 28 to 79, n = 112), 72 (64%) patients were improved, including 51 (45%) patients were successful. Daily pad use decreased from 3.0 to 1.0 (67% reduction). The median outcome on the Patient Global Impression of Improvement scale was "much better," and 97 (87%) patients perceived improvement.

CONCLUSIONS

The minimally invasive ProACT™ device showed a clear beneficial continence outcome in patients with stress urinary incontinence after radical prostatectomy. The majority of the patients were satisfied and perceived improvement ≥50% on daily pad use on the long term.

AdVance male sling

The AdVance sling (American Medical Systems, Minnetonka, MN, United States of America) is a synthetic transobturator sling, which is a safe and effective minimally invasive treatment for mild to moderate stress urinary incontinence (SUI) in male patients. This article provides a step-by-step description of our technique for placement of the AdVance male sling, including details and nuances gained from surgical experience, advice for avoidance of complications and discussion on management of complications and sling failures. Patient selection is very important, including exclusion and preoperative treatment of urethral stenosis and bladder dysfunction. Previous pelvic radiation is a poor prognostic factor. In brief, the steps of sling placement are: (I) mobilization of the corpus spongiosum (CS); (II) marking and mobilization of the central tendon; (III) passage of the helical trocar needles exiting at the apex of the angle between the CS and inferior pubic ramus; (IV) fixation of the broad part of the sling body to the CS at the previous mark; (V) cystoscopy during sling tensioning; (VI) placement of a Foley urethral catheter; (VII) Subcutaneous tunnelling of the sling arms back toward the midline; (VIII) wound closure. The most common early postoperative complication is urinary retention but long-term retention is extremely rare. Management of sling failures include placement of an artificial urinary sphincter, repeat AdVance sling, urethral bulking agent or ProACT device.

The role of male slings in post prostatectomy incontinence: ICI-RS 2015

AIMS

Post prostatectomy stress urinary incontinence can significantly impact on quality of life and is bothersome for patients. The artificial urinary sphincter is still considered the gold standard surgical treatment. Male slings are an alternative surgical option and several designs are currently available. This review will focus on efficacy, adverse events, and mechanism of action of male slings. The context of this review was a proposal at the ICI-RS meeting 2015. Following synthesis of the evidence we address the question: does it matter how male slings work?

METHODS

The proposal lecture was reviewed and a comprehensive review of the literature undertaken utilising the PubMed database.

RESULTS

Male slings can be broadly divided into adjustable retropubic and suburethral transobturator slings. Male slings are efficacious and can improve quality of life. Adjustable retropubic slings appear to be compressive but studies suggest efficacy can be achieved without voiding dysfunction. Transobturator slings work by urethral compression and/or re-locating the urethral bulb. There is a recognized failure rate in all sling types and most studies suggest radiotherapy as a risk factor for failure. Adjustable slings have the ability to be altered to optimize continence or to prevent retention of urine. However, there appears to be a higher explantation rate in some of these systems.

CONCLUSIONS

It is important to understand how male slings work and by doing so we are more reliably able to choose the appropriate sling, predict outcomes, and as a result counsel patients. Suggestions for future research are proposed.

Outcome Measures of Adjustable Transobturator Male System with Pre-attached Scrotal Port for Male Stress Urinary Incontinence After Radical Prostatectomy: A Prospective Study

INTRODUCTION

The objective of this study was to report outcome measures with third-generation pre-attached scrotal port adjustable transobturator male system (ATOMS) for male stress urinary incontinence (SUI) after radical prostatectomy.

METHODS

A prospective open study was conducted on consecutive patients. Evaluation included cough test, urethroscopy, filling and voiding cystometry, 24-h pad count and pad test, patient-reported outcomes (ICIQ-SF, IIQ-7, PGI, GRA, and VAS), complications according to the Clavien-Dindo system, operative results, number of adjustments, and filling of the system.

RESULTS

Thirty-four patients with median pad test 510 (170-1225) ml were operated on. Preoperative SUI was mild (5.9%), moderate (17.6%), and severe (76.5%). At median 18.5 (12-26) months follow-up distribution of SUI was none (85.3%), mild (8.8%), and moderate (5.9%). Median intraoperative filling was 14 (8-17) ml, number of adjustments 1 (0-5), and total filling 17.5 (11-33.5) ml. At 3 months, median ICIQ-SF (p = 0.0001) and IIQ-7 (p < 0.0001) decreased. At 12 months, 24-h pad count and pad test decreased (both p < 0.0001), residual volume slightly increased (p = 0.018), PGI-I was 1 (1-3), GRA 6 (3-6), and 97% were satisfied with treatment. Continence (p = 0.016) and satisfaction (p = 0.09) were worse in irradiated patients. Median operative time was 67 (35-120) min, hospital stay 1 (1-3) days, and VAS for pain on postoperative day 1 was 0 (0-2). Complications presented in 14.7% (8.8% grade I and 5.9% grade III).

CONCLUSION

Treatment of severe male SUI after radical prostatectomy with pre-attached scrotal port ATOMS is safe and very effective in the short term. A positive cough test before implant and intraoperative overfilling of the system may optimize patient selection and results.

Partial Gland Treatment of Prostate Cancer Using High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound in the Primary and Salvage Settings: A Systematic Review

PURPOSE

Advances in prostate imaging, biopsy and ablative technologies have been accompanied by growing enthusiasm for partial gland ablation, particularly using high-intensity focused ultrasound, to treat prostate cancer. Preserving noncancerous prostate tissue and minimizing damage to the neurovascular bundles and external urethral sphincter may improve functional outcomes.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A systematic review was performed following PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines using a combination of MeSH® terms, free text search and examination of relevant bibliographies using MEDLINE® and Embase® from the inception of each database through October 10, 2016. We excluded studies describing exclusively whole gland ablation, case reports and series where treatment was followed by immediate resection.

RESULTS

A total of 13 studies that enrolled 543 patients were included. Of the studies 11 were performed in the primary setting and 2 in the salvage setting. Median followup ranged from 6 months to 10.6 years. Rates of posttreatment erectile dysfunction and urinary incontinence ranged from 0% to 48% and 0% to 50%, respectively, with definitions varying by study. Overall there were 254 reported complications. Marked heterogeneity between studies limited the ability to pool results regarding functional and oncologic outcomes. A total of 76 patients (14%) subsequently received further oncologic treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

Early evidence suggests that partial gland ablation is a safe treatment option for men with localized disease. Longer term data are needed to evaluate oncologic efficacy and functional outcomes, and will aid in identifying the optimal candidates for therapy. Standardization of outcomes definitions will allow for better comparison between studies and among treatment modalities.

Virtue male sling for post-prostatectomy stress incontinence: a prospective evaluation and mid-term outcomes

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of the Virtue^® male sling (Coloplast, Humlebaek, Denmark) in a cohort of patients affected by post-prostatectomy stress urinary incontinence (SUI).

METHODS

All 29 consecutive patients treated with a Virtue male sling at our Institution between July 2012 and October 2013 were included in the present prospective, non-randomized study. Patients were evaluated preoperatively and at 1, 3, 6, 12, 24 and 36 months after surgery using a 24-h pad weight test, the International Consultation on Incontinence short-form questionnaire (ICIQ-SF), Urinary Symptom Profile (USP) questionnaire, a bladder diary, uroflowmetry and the Patient Global Impression of Improvement (PGI-I) and Patient Global Impression of Severity questionnaires.

RESULTS

The mean patient age was 65.5 years. A total of 72.4% of patients had preoperative mild incontinence (1-2 pads/day), while nine patients used 3-5 pads/day. There were a total of 17 complications, which occurred in 29 patients (58.6%); all were Clavien-Dindo grade I. At 12-month follow-up patients showed a significant improvement in 24-h pad test (128.6 vs 2.5 g), number of pads per day (2 vs 0), ICIQ-SF score (14.3 vs 0.9) and USP score for SUI (4 vs 0), and outcomes remained stable at 36 months. At last follow-up, the median score on the PGI-I questionnaire was 1 (very much better).

CONCLUSION

The Virtue male sling is an effective treatment option for low to moderate post-prostatectomy incontinence.

Artificial urinary sphincters for male stress urinary incontinence: current perspectives

The artificial urinary sphincter (AUS), which has evolved over many years, has become a safe and reliable treatment for stress urinary incontinence and is currently the gold standard. After 4 decades of existence, there is substantial experience with the AUS. Today AUS is most commonly placed for postprostatectomy stress urinary incontinence. Only a small proportion of urologists routinely place AUS. In a survey in 2005, only 4% of urologists were considered high-volume AUS implanters, performing >20 per year. Globally, ~11,500 AUSs are placed annually. Over 400 articles have been published regarding the outcomes of AUS, with a wide variance in success rates ranging from 61% to 100%. Generally speaking, the AUS has good long-term outcomes, with social continence rates of ~79% and high patient satisfaction usually between 80% and 90%. Despite good outcomes, a substantial proportion of patients, generally ~25%, will require revision surgery, with the rate of revision increasing with time. Complications requiring revision include infection, urethral atrophy, erosion, and mechanical failure. Most infections are gram-positive skin flora. Urethral atrophy and erosion lie on a spectrum resulting from the same problem, constant urethral compression. However, these two complications are managed differently. Mechanical failure is usually a late complication occurring on average later than infection, atrophy, or erosions. Various techniques may be used during revisions, including cuff relocation, downsizing, transcorporal cuff placement, or tandem cuff placement. Patient satisfaction does not appear to be affected by the need for revision as long as continence is restored. Additionally, AUS following prior sling surgery has comparable outcomes to primary AUS placement. Several new inventions are on the horizon, although none have been approved for use in the US at this point.