Postprostatectomy urinary incontinence: a comparison of the cost of conservative versus surgical management

Genitourinary Radiation Injury Following Prostate Cancer Treatment: Assessment of Cost and Health Care System Burden

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the healthcare resource impact of radiation injury following prostate cancer treatment.

METHODS

Using IBM MarketScan, we performed a retrospective study of men with prostate cancer who were treated with radiotherapy and subsequently developed low-grade (LGRI) and high-grade radiation injury (HGRI). Radiation injury diagnoses included bladder neck stenosis, hematuria/cystitis, fistula, ureteral stricture, and incontinence. LGRI and HGRI included injury diagnosis without intervention and with intervention, respectively. Health care visits and costs were measured over 5 time periods including 2 years before radiation, 1 year before radiation, radiation to injury diagnosis, injury diagnosis to first intervention (LGRI), and following first intervention (HGRI). Negative binomial regression modeling was used to assess the effect of radiation injury on average cost adjusting for demographics and comorbidities.

RESULTS

Between 2008 and 2017, we identified 121,027 men who received radiotherapy following prostate cancer diagnosis of which 10,057 (8.3%) experienced a HGRI. The frequency of urologic visits and average costs were similar in those without injury and LGRI. However, men with HGRI experienced higher visit frequency and monthly costs. Amongst high-grade injuries, urinary fistula had the highest frequency of visit utilization at 378 visits before first intervention and 245 visits after first intervention. Following radiation injury diagnosis, the average monthly cost was twice as high in those with HGRI ($85.78) compared to LGRI ($38.66).

CONCLUSIONS

HGRI was associated with increased urologic health care use and average monthly cost when compared to those who experienced LGRI or no injury. Urinary fistula was associated with the largest resource burden.

An Update on the Clinical Efficacy and Safety of Collagen Injectables for Aesthetic and Regenerative Medicine Applications

Soft tissues diseases significantly affect patients quality of life and usually require targeted, costly and sometimes constant interventions. With the average lifetime increase, a proportional increase of age-related soft tissues diseases has been witnessed. Due to this, the last two decades have seen a tremendous demand for minimally invasive one-step resolutive procedures. Intensive scientific and industrial research has led to the recognition of injectable formulations as a new advantageous approach in the management of complex diseases that are challenging to treat with conventional strategies. Among them, collagen-based products are revealed to be one of the most promising among bioactive biomaterials-based formulations. Collagen is the most abundant structural protein of vertebrate connective tissues and, because of its structural and non-structural role, is one of the most widely used multifunctional biomaterials in the health-related sectors, including medical care and cosmetics. Indeed, collagen-based formulations are historically considered as the "gold standard" and from 1981 have been paving the way for the development of a new generation of fillers. A huge number of collagen-based injectable products have been approved worldwide for clinical use and have routinely been introduced in many clinical settings for both aesthetic and regenerative surgery. In this context, this review article aims to be an update on the clinical outcomes of approved collagen-based injectables for both aesthetic and regenerative medicine of the last 20 years with an in-depth focus on their safety and effectiveness for the treatment of diseases of the integumental, gastrointestinal, musculoskeletal, and urogenital apparatus.

Preoperative exercise interventions to optimize continence outcomes following radical prostatectomy

Urinary incontinence is a common and predictable consequence among men with localized prostate cancer who have undergone radical prostatectomy. Despite advances in the surgical technique, urinary continence recovery time remains variable. A range of surgical and patient-related risk factors contributing to urinary incontinence after radical prostatectomy have been described, including age, BMI, membranous urethral length and urethral sphincter insufficiency. Physical activity interventions incorporating aerobic exercise, resistance training and pelvic floor muscle training programmes can positively influence the return to continence in men after radical prostatectomy. Traditional approaches to improving urinary continence after radical prostatectomy have typically focused on interventions delivered during the postoperative period (rehabilitation). However, the limited efficacy of these postoperative approaches has led to a shift from the traditional reactive model of care to more comprehensive interventions incorporating exercise-based programmes that begin in the preoperative period (prehabilitation) and continue after surgery. Comprehensive prehabilitation interventions include appropriately prescribed aerobic exercise, resistance training and specific pelvic floor muscle instruction and exercise training programmes. Transperineal ultrasonography is a non-invasive and validated method for the visualization of the action of the pelvic floor musculature, providing real-time visual biofeedback to the patient during specific pelvic floor muscle instruction and training. Importantly, the waiting time before surgery can be used for the delivery of comprehensive prehabilitation exercise-based interventions to increase patient preparedness in the lead-up to surgery and optimize continence and health-related quality-of-life outcomes following radical prostatectomy.

Qualitative analysis of Amazon customer reviews of penile clamps for male urinary incontinence

AIMS

Penile clamps offer an alternative to manage male urinary incontinence in patients who are unfit for surgery. Patient experience with penile clamps is poorly understood. Our study elucidates patient opinions on commercially available penile clamps and the factors that associate with favorable and unfavorable opinions.

METHODS

We collected Amazon reviews of all penile clamps marketed for male urinary incontinence from November 2011 to January 2020 and qualitatively assessed the overall sentiment towards penile clamps, key praises and key complaints. Covariates such as designated Amazon star rating were further explored for association with coding patterns.

RESULTS

Amazon reviews of penile clamps were found to be more positive (n = 425) in overall sentiment than negative (n = 294). The most frequent praise was effective incontinence control (n = 334) and the most frequent complaint was bad design or material (n = 166). The majority of reviews were for lower priced penile clamps, had higher Amazon star ratings, were written for Wiesner-produced clamps, and were written more recently (i.e., 2015-2020). Penile clamps with higher Amazon star ratings were more often coded positive and with a praise compared to lower rated penile clamps.

CONCLUSIONS

Penile clamps are seen favorably by users as an effective treatment modality for male urinary incontinence. User reviews suggest opportunities for improvement in penile clamp design. The most frequently reviewed clamp seen positively is the Wiesner Incontinence Clamp Penile Clamp whereas the most frequently reviewed clamp seen negatively is the Pacey Cuff Male Incontinence Device.

The Impact of Frailty on Artificial Urinary Sphincter Placement and Removal Procedures

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether frailty is associated with increased odds of 30-day surgical complications among men undergoing both artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) placement and removal procedures and to determine whether frailty was associated with increased odds of having an AUS removal procedure.

METHODS

This is a retrospective cohort study of men undergoing AUS placement and removal procedures using data from the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS-NSQIP) from 2006 to 2013. Frailty was quantified using the NSQIP-FI (frailty index) and was applied to logistic regression models predicting 30-day complications (overall, major, and minor) and the odds of having an AUS removal procedure (over an AUS placement procedure).

RESULTS

We identified a total of 624 and 147 men undergoing AUS placement and removal procedures, respectively. NSQIP-FI of ≥0.27, but not age, was associated with major complications (aOR 3.5, 95% confidence interval 1.2-9.9), while age ≥85 years, but not NSQIP-FI, was associated with minor complications (aOR 7.9, 95% confidence interval 1.4-45.6). Men undergoing AUS removal procedures tended to be more frail compared to men undergoing AUS placement procedures (12.9% vs 6.1% had NSQIP-FI of ≥0.27, P<.01).

CONCLUSION

Men undergoing AUS removal procedures are, on average, more frail compared to men undergoing AUS placement procedures. Frailty is associated with increased odds of major complications and with having an AUS removal procedure. These findings highlight the importance of incorporating measures of frailty, instead of age alone, into the perioperative decision-making process for adults considering these types of procedures.

Waves of Change: National Trends in Surgical Management of Male Stress Incontinence

OBJECTIVE

To determine the trend in surgical management of male stress urinary incontinence (SUI) in the context of the rate of radical prostatectomy (RP) as reported by a national database. Traditionally, the artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) has been the gold standard, but the male sling represents a newer and popular alternative. Refinements in prostate surgery may reduce the incidence and degree of subsequent SUI.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A retrospective cross-sectional analysis was performed using the National Inpatient Survey database, which captures discharge data from inpatient and overnight admissions. Cases were identified by their International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision procedure codes. We queried the codes 58.93 (implantation of AUS), 59.4 (suprapubic sling operation), 59.5 (retropubic urethral suspension), and 59.6 (paraurethral suspension). We also queried 60.5 (RP) for comparison. Data were collected from January 2000 to December 2012 and weighted to a national average using National Inpatient Survey guidelines.

RESULTS

A total of 32,416 anti-incontinence operations (20,790 AUS and 11,625 sling procedures) were performed over the study period. There was a significant downward trend in the total number of incontinence procedures (F(1,11) = 6.15, P = .03). However, when stratifying the data by procedure type, only AUS placement demonstrated a significant decline (F(1,11) = 21.70, P <.01), whereas sling procedures significantly increased (F(1,11) = 12.95, P <.01). There was no significant change in the annual incidence of RP.

CONCLUSION

Inpatient surgery for male SUI is decreasing overall. Placement of the AUS declined significantly, whereas sling placement became more common. Future study will determine the etiology of these trends.

Practice patterns of post-radical prostatectomy incontinence surgery in Ontario

INTRODUCTION

We assess the practice patterns of artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) and urethral sling insertion after radical prostatectomy (RP) from a large population-based cohort.

METHODS

We examined 25 346 men in Ontario, Canada who underwent RP between 1993 and 2006. Using hospital and cancer registry data, we identified patients who subsequently underwent an incontinence procedure. We characterized the practice patterns of post-prostatectomy incontinence procedures across Ontario during the study interval.

RESULTS

A total of 703 (2.8%) men underwent subsequent insertion of an AUS and 282 (1.1%) underwent a urethral sling procedure (985 total incontinence procedures, 3.9%) over the study period. During the study period, 121 hospitals performed RP. Among them, 32 (26%) hospitals performed both RP and AUS/sling procedures, and 89 (74%) performed RP only. Four hospitals performed AUS/sling procedures but not RP. Of the 36 institutions that performed AUS/sling procedures, the median annual case volume was 0.29 (interquartile range: 0.083-0.75). Of all incontinence procedures, 56% were performed at 3 academic institutions. When examining observed rates of AUS/sling procedures compared with expected rates from the overall cohort, 15 of 32 hospitals (47%) performed significantly fewer incontinence procedures than expected given their RP case volume (p range: <0.0001-0.0390) and 5 (16%) performed significantly more (p range: <0.0001-0.038).

CONCLUSIONS

A small number of academic institutions provide most of the surgical care for men with incontinence following RP in Ontario. Many centres that perform RP refer out to other centres to surgically manage their patients' incontinence.

[Prevention of postprostatectomy incontinence: etiology and risk factors]

The prevention of postprostatectomy incontinence has always been a challenge for urologists. Improved understanding of male continence and changes in pelvic anatomy after radical prostatectomy and the implementation of new surgical techniques raised hope of reduced incontinence rates. Despite using the full potential of continence-sparing techniques and atraumatic robot-assisted surgery, postprostatectomy incontinence still occurs in 5-20 % of cases. Recently published data showed a trend of improved early return to continence using anterior suspension or posterior reconstruction in robot-assisted prostatectomy. Postprostatectomy incontinence has a negative impact on quality of life and causes high costs of treatment. Therefore, further research in the amelioration of postoperative continence is mandatory.

Optimizing radical prostatectomy for the early recovery of urinary continence

Radical prostatectomy remains the gold-standard treatment for clinically localized prostate cancer. Although cancer control is the primary goal, secondary outcomes such as continence recovery are of great importance to patients. Thus, it is a challenge for prostate cancer surgeons to optimize continence outcomes without compromising oncologic results. Many high-volume surgeons have demonstrated excellent long-term continence rates in their patients, but early continence is variable and less than ideal even in expert hands. A plethora of individual technical maneuvers exist to optimize early recovery of continence, but as yet there is no composite technique that incorporates the relevant anatomic principles of minimizing damage to the urinary sphincters and their nerves, maximizing functional urethral length, creating a secure and watertight vesicourethral anastomosis, providing circumferential fascioligamentous support to the anastomosis and external sphincter, and ameliorating postoperative bladder descent. Our ten-step approach to collating these individual maneuvers into a unified technique could be used by surgeons to obtain the best possible early recovery of urinary control for their patients, without risking their oncologic outcomes.

Efficacy of the bulbourethral autologous sling in treating male stress urinary incontinence: a three-year experience from a single center

AIM

To evaluate the efficacy of the bulbourethral rectus autologous sling in treating male stress urinary incontinence.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed operative logs from a single surgeon of 32 male patients treated over a 3-year period (March 2001 to March 2004) for stress incontinence by implantation of a bulbourethral free rectus sling. The mean age of the patients was 46.4 (range 14-76); mean follow-up time was 29.5 months (range 24-52). Neurogenic dysfunction was the most common cause of incontinence in this group (17/32 cases; 53.1%). Efficacy was evaluated objectively in terms of the number of pads used per day, subjective patient satisfaction, and morbidity. We also investigated a possible correlation between pre-operative parameters and outcome.

RESULTS

Ten patients (31.3%) were cured (totally dry, 15.6%; the remainder one pad per day), while five (15.6%) patients improved but still required two pads per day. Overall, 15 of 32 patients (46.9%) were satisfied with the outcome of the operation. In total, seven patients presented a mild complication (21.9%). De novo urgency was the most common complication presented in four of 32(11.6%). No case of urethral erosion was encountered. Univariate analysis failed to find any correlation between the final outcome and the following parameters: patient age, duration of incontinence, earlier anti-incontinence surgery, severity of pre-operative incontinence, pre-operative Valsalva leak point pressure, decreased compliance, decreased bladder capacity, and pre-operative evidence of detrusor overactivity.

CONCLUSIONS

In conclusion, the free rectus fascia bulbourethral sling is a modestly effective technique for the treatment of male stress incontinence with mild morbidity. The use of this method seems that it is suitable for selected cases.

Objective and Quality-of-Life Outcomes with Bone-Anchored Male Bulbourethral Sling

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the success rates and quality-of-life outcomes with the male bulbourethral sling using the validated Male Urogenital Distress Inventory (MUDI) and Male Urinary Symptom Impact Questionnaire (MUSIQ). These validated incontinence questionnaires for men have not been reported in the sling population.

METHODS

A total of 31 consecutive patients underwent placement of a male bulbourethral bone-anchoring sling from October 2002 through May 2005. The preoperative information included history and physical examination, pad history, urodynamic findings, and MUDI and MUSIQ results. Postoperatively, the patients were evaluated clinically and completed a MUDI and MUSIQ every 6 months.

RESULTS

Of the 31 patients, 24 completed the questionnaires and follow-up protocol. Of the other 7 patients, 4 underwent sling removal and 3 were lost to follow-up. The average follow-up time was 15 months (range 9 to 21). After surgery, the pad use decreased from a median of 3.7 pads/day (range 1 to 12) to 1.3 pads/day (range 0 to 6). Of the 24 analyzed patients, 18 (75%) were dry or using 1 pad or less per day, and 9 (38%) no longer needed pads. Subjectively, 75% of the patients were satisfied. The mean MUDI and MUSIQ scores decreased from 56.8 and 29.9 preoperatively to 44.8 (P <0.0001) and 14.6 (P = 0.002) after sling placement, respectively. When all 31 patients were included, our clinical success rate of 1 pad/day or less decreased to 58%.

CONCLUSIONS

Of the 24 patients with follow-up data, 75% were satisfied and were clinically cured. A significant improvement was seen after surgery in the MUDI and MUSIQ scores, severity of incontinence, and average pad use. The MUDI and MUSIQ scores paralleled patient satisfaction and clinical success after male bulbourethral sling placement.

Injectables for the treatment of stress urinary incontinence: current use and future perspectives

Stress urinary incontinence is a prevalent symptom among women. It also affects men, primarily those operated on for prostate disease. Even though it is not life threatening, it seriously impacts quality of life. Bulking agents have been used in the treatment of incontinence for many decades, offering a treatment option for both women and men. Their short-term efficacy is satisfactory, but there is concern regarding durability of effect. Despite concerns regarding efficacy, the minimally invasive nature of the technique, with uncommon and self-limited complications, has made injectables quite popular among both physicians and patients. In light of recent developments in the surgical treatment of incontinence, resulting in highly efficacious, but also easy and safe-to-perform, procedures, the role of injectables must be re-evaluated. In these cost-conscious times, health economics is also an important issue, and comparative cost-effectiveness assessment of available treatment options is becoming imperative.

Psychosocial consequences of prostate cancer: 30 years of research

Carcinoma of the prostate is the leading source of solid-organ cancer in U.S. men. When the disease is discovered early, survival rates are high; survivorship, however, is commonly complicated by disease-specific treatment side effects that challenge a man's physical, mental, and social well-being and life satisfaction. This review comprises a search of scientific literature published between 1970 and March 2004 with the aims of 1) identifying the terms used to define the psychosocial consequences unique to men treated for prostate cancer and 2) describing the research aimed at improving the lives of survivors through psychosocial interventions.

Patient Satisfaction and Clinical Efficacy of the New Perineal Bone-Anchored Male Sling

OBJECTIVE

We retrospectively evaluated the safety, efficacy and patient satisfaction following the male sling procedure for stress urinary incontinence.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Forty-six patients, with a median age of 67 years, underwent the perineal male sling procedure for stress urinary incontinence. Radical retropubic prostatectomy was the commonest etiology of SUI. The male sling was placed over the bulbar urethra, through a perineal incision and anchored with the help of bone screws inserted in the pubic rami. Efficacy and treatment satisfaction were evaluated with the help of the validated UCLA/RAND questionnaire and questions addressing treatment satisfaction. Patients were defined as "cured" if they were dry or "improved" if utilizing 1-2 pads per day (based on response to question 1 of the UCLA/RAND questionnaire. Responses to questions 4 and 5 of the UCLA/RAND were utilized to determine the impact of the procedure on urinary leakage and urinary function postoperatively. Complications if any were noted.

RESULTS

One patient developed infection and two developed short-lasting perineal/buttock pain. Significantly, no patient developed urethral erosion. At a mean follow-up of 24 months, 34 patients were either dry (17/46, 37%) or utilizing only 1-2 pads per day (17/46, 37%), giving a cure/improvement rate of 74%. On evaluating the response to questions 4 and 5 of the UCLA/RAND questionnaire, 72% patients stated that urinary leakage and function were a "small to no problem". Moreover, 59% patients were moderately or completely satisfied with the procedure and 11% stated they were halfway satisfied with the procedure giving an overall satisfaction of 70%. A similar percentage felt that the treatment halfway or completely met their expectations.

CONCLUSIONS

At a mean follow-up of 24 months, the male sling procedure appears to be effective in the management of male SUI with a success rate of 74%. Moreover, it is safe as evidenced by the absence of any major complications such as urethral erosion. Finally, it is associated with a 70% patient satisfaction.

The male perineal sling: Intermediate-term results

AIMS

In men with stress urinary incontinence (SUI) due to sphincteric incompetence, surgical options include periurethral injection of bulking agents, implantation of an artificial urinary sphincter (AUS), and sling surgery. Short-term results of the male sling have generally been favorable. We report the intermediate-term results of the bone-anchored male perineal sling with a median of 4 years and minimum of 2 years follow-up.

METHODS

From March 2000 to April 2003, 48 patients (average age = 68 years) underwent male sling surgery. Patients were evaluated pre-operatively and post-operatively via history, physical examination, pad score, and administration of the incontinence section of the UCLA/RAND prostate cancer index (PCI).

RESULTS

Pre-operatively all patients rated their incontinence as severe, and used >or=3 pads daily. Median follow-up was 48 months (range = 24-60). Average pad usage decreased from 4.6 +/- 2.1 pads per day to 1.0 +/- 1.7 pads per day (P < 0.01). Median UCLA PCI incontinence score increased from 63-343 (P < 0.01). Overall, 31/48 patient (65%) were cured of their leakage (no problem, no pads), 7/48 (15%) were much improved (small problem, 1 pad), 3/48 (6%) were mildly improved (moderate problem, 2 pads daily), and 7/48 (15%) failed (big problem, >or=3 pads).

CONCLUSIONS

Intermediate-term results for the male sling demonstrate a success rate comparable to that of the AUS (80% <or= 1 pad daily). This technique has established a very low morbidity, and is a reliable alternative to AUS surgery for the treatment of male SUI.

The male sling for stress urinary incontinence: a prospective study

PURPOSE

This is a report of a prospective study of the male sling for treating stress urinary incontinence.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 21 men underwent sling surgery. There were 2 titanium screws loaded with polypropylene suture placed in each descending pubic ramus through a 3.5 cm. perineal incision at the level of the bulbar urethra. A polypropylene mesh was placed over the urethra and tied to the bone anchors, adjusting sling tension to a compression pressure of 60 cm. water. Followup was done with the incontinence section of the University of California, Los Angeles/RAND Prostate Cancer Index.

RESULTS

Mean followup was 12 months (range 5 to 21). Overall, incontinence was cured in 16 (76%) patients, substantially improved (stress urinary incontinence very small or small problem, 1 pad daily) in 3 (14%), somewhat improved (moderate problem-2 pads) in 1 and procedure failed (no improvement) in 1 (5%). The patients with stress urinary incontinence after undergoing transurethral prostatectomy were cured, as was the individual with myelomeningocele. Of the 18 patients with stress urinary incontinence after radical prostatectomy 13 were cured, including 1 of 2 who underwent previous artificial urinary sphincter placement and 2 of 3 adjuvant radiation. There was significant improvement in each survey question, and the total score improved from a mean plus or minus standard deviation of 65 +/- 11 preoperatively to 397 +/- 29 postoperatively (p <0.001). There was no retention, infection, erosion or de novo voiding dysfunction.

CONCLUSIONS

This minimally invasive sling surgery has not been associated with any significant complication, and early results compare favorably with artificial urinary sphincter. By compressing only the ventral urethra the risk of urethral erosion and atrophy is reduced. Prior radiation or artificial urinary sphincter does not appear to be a contraindication to sling surgery.

Use of collagen for the treatment of stress urinary incontinence: an update

This article provides a comprehensive and updated overview of the current role of collagen injections in the management of genuine stress incontinence. The clinical indications for collagen injection are described, and relevant technical advances are discussed. Finally, we review the latest outcome data on the use of collagen injection, as well as the factors that affect outcome.

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.

Long-term results after antegrade collagen injection for stress urinary incontinence following radical retropubic prostatectomy

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the long-term success of antegrade collagen injection in men with stress urinary incontinence after radical prostatectomy.

METHODS

Between October 1994 and January 1996, 20 patients underwent antegrade collagen injection for stress urinary incontinence caused by radical prostatectomy. Evaluation by pad test, urodynamics, and subjective scores was performed before and after injection.

RESULTS

At a mean follow-up of 28 months, 10% of the patients were cured and 35% were improved. All patients received a single treatment (mean total volume of collagen injected 14.5 mL). In 11 patients without long-term improvement, 2 had undergone irradiation previously and 7 had failed retrograde collagen injections. Two patients with vesical neck contracture were successfully treated. Preoperative incontinence severity and stress leak point pressure did not correlate with failure.

CONCLUSIONS

A 45% cured or improved rate at long-term follow-up is possible in men with stress incontinence after radical prostatectomy using a single antegrade collagen injection. Although antegrade delivery of collagen for stress incontinence minimized short-term, technique-related failures, for a substantial number of patients therapy had failed at long-term follow-up.