Outcomes of Artificial Urinary Sphincter Placement in Men After Radical Cystectomy and Orthotopic Urinary Diversions for the Treatment of Stress Urinary Incontinence: The University of Southern California Experience

Management of urinary incontinence after radical cystectomy and orthotopic neobladder: A scoping review of international practices

OBJECTIVES

To identify and describe international practice in incontinence management after radical cystectomy and orthotopic neobladder.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A systematic scoping review following the methodology of the Joanne Briggs Institute was conducted in which the application searched 15 data sources to identify papers published in English, from 1979 to 2022.

RESULTS

Of the 16 papers that met the eligibility criteria, articles in Eastern countries mainly focus on the effect of conservative treatment, while in Western countries, more attention is paid to the effect of surgical treatment. Clinical characteristics of patients included conservative treatment failure, duration of post-operative intervention and unique differential treatment of male and female patients. Reported factors influencing the achievement of urinary incontinence (UI) include lack of evidence to guide management practice, limited value of conservative treatment, high risk of surgical treatment and uncertainty of efficacy; currently, early behavioural research and multimodal rehabilitation training have good results.

CONCLUSIONS

UI in neobladder patients is a distressing condition that is difficult to treat and often requires high-quality rehabilitation guidance and surgical intervention. Further research to address current knowledge gaps is important to inform practice.

Early activation of artificial urinary sphincter for stress incontinence is safe: A pilot study

Background:

Artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) activation is usually deferred until 6 weeks following insertion. However, this timeframe for activation is based on traditional dogma. This study aims to assess the feasibility, efficacy and safety of earlier activation of AUS.

Methods:

A prospective database was established on consecutive patients undergoing AUS implantation (AMS-800 Boston Scientific) from March 2019 to March 2022 by a single fellowship-trained urologist. Early activation was defined as <30 days from the date of implantation.

Results:

Twenty-one patients were included in the study with a median follow-up of 34 (range: 3–96) months. The most common indication for AUS insertion was post-prostatectomy stress urinary incontinence ( n = 19, 90%). All 21 patients had their AUS successfully activated and used before 30 days, with a median of 14 (range: 9–28) days. Median (range) pre-operative continence pad numbers were 3 (2–6) and 0 (0–1) at 4 weeks post-operatively. Median (range) pad weight per day was 600 g (190–1310 g) pre-operatively and 6 g (0–6 g) at 4 weeks post-operatively. There were no adverse events associated with early activation.

Conclusion:

To our knowledge, this is the first description of the early activation of the AMS-800 AUS device. Our preliminary experience indicates early activation is safe and acceptable for patients.

Level of evidence:

II

Incontinence in frail elderly persons: Report of the 6th International Consultation on Incontinence

BACKGROUND

Evidence-based guidelines for the management of frail older persons with urinary incontinence are rare. Those produced by the International Consultation on Incontinence represent an authoritative set of recommendations spanning all aspects of management.

AIMS

To summarize the available evidence relating to the management of urinary incontinence in frail older people published since the 5th International Consultation on Incontinence.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A series of systematic reviews and evidence updates were performed by members of the working group to update the 2012 recommendations.

RESULTS

Along with the revision of the treatment algorithm and accompanying text, there have been significant advances in several areas of the management of lower urinary tract symptoms in frail older people.

DISCUSSION

The committee continues to note the relative paucity of data concerning frail older persons and draw attention to knowledge gaps and research opportunities. Clinicians treating older people with lower urinary tract symptoms should use the available evidence from studies of older people combined with careful extrapolation of those data from younger subjects. Due consideration to an individual's frailty and wishes is crucial.

Posterior reconstruction during robotic-assisted radical cystectomy with intracorporeal orthotopic ileal neobladder: description and outcomes of a simple step

A posterior reconstruction (PR) might improve the fluidity and delicacy of the maneuvers related to the neovesico-urethral anastomosis during robotic-assisted radical cystectomy (RARC). Our objective is to describe in detail the surgical steps of PR and to assess its feasibility and functional outcomes. The data regarding patients undergoing a totally intracorporeal RARC with neobladder and PR for high-grade and/or muscle-invasive urothelial cancer of the bladder at Karolinska University Hospital between October 2015 and November 2016 by a single surgeon (PW) were reviewed. Prior to the anastomosis, a modified posterior Rocco's repair involving the Denonvillier's fascia, the rhabdosphincter, and the posterior side of the ileal neobladder neck was performed. The steps are shown in a video at https://doi.org/10.1089/vid.2019.0029 . The primary outcome was urinary continence; the secondary outcomes were urinary leakage, intermittent catheterization, and complications related to the reconstructive steps. Eleven male patients with a median age and BMI of 67 years and 24, respectively, underwent RARC with PR associated to the neovesico-urethral anastomosis. Overall and posterior reconstruction time were 300' (195-320) and 6' (4-7), respectively. The daytime and nighttime continence rates were 100% and 44% at 12 months, respectively; the median pad weight was 3.5 g and 108 g at daytime and nighttime, respectively. One urinary leakage from the urethrovesical anastomosis was treated conservatively. Two patients perform intermittent catheterization. The posterior reconstruction during RARC is safe and feasible, providing good continence rates. It supported a careful suturing of the anastomosis as well as an uncomplicated catheter placement.

Dual Prosthetic Implantation After Radical Cystoprostatectomy and Neobladder: Outcomes of the Inflatable Penile Prosthesis and Artificial Urinary Sphincter in Bladder Cancer Survivors

OBJECTIVES

To determine the impact of radical cystectomy and orthotopic neobladder (NB) diversion on device-related outcomes in patients who undergo subsequent placement of both, an artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) and 3-piece inflatable penile prosthesis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Using an institutional prosthetic database, we identified 39 patients who underwent radical cystectomy and NB and subsequent implantation of both prosthetic devices from 2003 to 2017. Patient demographics, perioperative data, and postoperative outcomes including prosthetic infection, mechanical failure, revision surgery, and functional outcomes were examined and compared to an appropriate matched group of patients (n = 48, non-neobladder group).

RESULTS

No intraoperative complications were observed. After median follow-up of 94 months (12-177 months), 1 patient developed an infection of their penile prosthesis and 4 patients developed an erosion of their AUS. In each case, the infection did not involve the other device. Two patients required revision surgery of their penile prosthesis due to mechanical failure (reservoir leak, n = 1; cylinder aneurysm, n = 1). Twenty-one patients underwent elective revision surgery to improve continence (cuff downsizing, n = 18; pressure-regulating balloon exchange, n = 3). There were 6 cases of AUS mechanical failure. No reservoir-related complications such as herniation or erosion were observed. Compared to the control group of non-neobladder patients, there were no significant differences in prosthetic infection, mechanical failure, and revision surgery.

CONCLUSION

The AUS and 3-piece inflatable penile prosthesis can coexist safely in patients with NB without an increased risk of device-related complications.

Orthotopic urinary diversion

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Orthotopic urinary diversion has been performed for more than 30 years. Although it is considered to be the gold standard form of diversion in many centers of expertise, however it is uncommonly performed outside these institutions. The purpose of this article is to review the current indications and outcomes of orthotopic diversion with a focus on male patients and to explore potential barriers to wider dissemination of the technique.

RECENT FINDINGS

Approximately 75% of patients undergoing radical cystectomy today are candidates for orthotopic diversion and in the absence of absolute contraindications, very few patients chose to undergo an ileal conduit for personal reasons. In a recent quality of life study, the orthotopic neobladder was better than ileal conduit in terms of global health status and physical functioning. In a prospective randomized trial comparing a refluxing versus nonrefluxing neobladder, there was no difference in renal function after 3 years. There is currently insufficient evidence to suggest improved perioperative outcomes with the use of minimally invasive techniques.

SUMMARY

There are very few absolute contraindications for an orthotopic neobladder, which remains the gold standard form of diversion at many centers of expertise. Surgeon experience and thorough preoperative counseling with realistic expectations can ensure optimal outcomes and patient satisfaction.

Artificial urinary sphincter for post-prostatectomy incontinence: a review

The artificial urinary sphincter remains the gold standard for treatment of post-prostatectomy urinary incontinence. The AMS 800 (American Medical Systems, Minnetonka, MN, USA) is the most commonly implanted artificial urinary sphincter. Having been on the market for almost 40 years, there is an abundance of literature regarding its use, but no recent review has been published. We reviewed the current literature regarding the indications, surgical principles, outcomes and complications of artificial urinary sphincter implantation for stress urinary incontinence after prostatectomy. A PubMed search was carried out for articles on the artificial urinary sphincter from 1995 to present. The review was centered on articles related to the use of the AMS 800 for stress urinary incontinence in males after prostatectomy. Relevant articles were reviewed. The majority of patients will achieve social continence (1 pad per day) after artificial urinary sphincter implantation; however, rates of total continence (no pad usage) are significantly lower. Patient satisfaction outcomes average greater than 80% in most series. Potential complications requiring reoperation include infection (0.5-10.6%) and urethral erosion (2.9-12%). Revision surgeries are most commonly as a result of urethral atrophy, which ranges from 1.6 to 11.4%. The 5-year Kaplan-Meier freedom from reoperation ranges from 50 to 79%, while the 10-year Kaplan-Meier freedom from mechanical failure is 64%. The artificial urinary sphincter is a reliable device with good outcomes. As expected with any prosthetic device, complications including mechanical failure, infection, erosion and recurrent incontinence remain significant concerns. Despite known complications, the patient satisfaction rates after artificial urinary sphincter implantation remain high. Appropriate patient counseling and adherence to surgical principles are imperative.

Caffeine intake and its association with urinary incontinence in United States men: results from National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys 2005-2006 and 2007-2008

PURPOSE

Epidemiological studies in women have revealed an association between caffeine intake and urinary incontinence, although evidence among men is limited. Therefore, we evaluated the association between caffeine intake and urinary incontinence in United States men.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Data were used from male NHANES (National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys) 2005-2006 and 2007-2008 participants. Urinary incontinence was defined using a standard questionnaire with Incontinence Severity Index scores 3 or greater categorized as moderate to severe. Structured dietary recall was used to determine caffeine consumption (mg per day), water intake (gm per day) and total dietary moisture (gm per day). Stepwise multivariable logistic regression models were used to assess the association between caffeine intake at or above the 75th and 90th percentiles and moderate to severe urinary incontinence, controlling for potential confounders, urinary incontinence risk factors and prostate conditions in men age 40 years or older.

RESULTS

Of the 5,297 men 3,960 (75%) were 20 years old or older with complete data. Among these men the prevalence of any urinary incontinence was 12.9% and moderate to severe urinary incontinence was 4.4%. Mean caffeine intake was 169 mg per day. Caffeine intake at the upper 75th percentile (234 mg or more daily) and 90th percentile (392 mg or more per day) was significantly associated with having moderate to severe urinary incontinence (1.72, 95% 1.18-2.49 and 2.08, 95% 1.15-3.77, respectively). In addition, after adjusting for prostate conditions, the effect size for the association between caffeine intake and moderate to severe urinary incontinence remained.

CONCLUSIONS

Caffeine consumption equivalent to approximately 2 cups of coffee daily (250 mg) is significantly associated with moderate to severe urinary incontinence in United States men. Our findings support the further study of caffeine modification in men with urinary incontinence.