Treatment of incontinence after prostatectomy using a new minimally invasive device: adjustable continence therapy

ProACT™ (Uromedica, Plymouth, USA) balloons for male urinary incontinence: A fourteen-year-old cohort

BACKGROUND

Male urinary incontinence is attributed to SUI consecutive to benign prostate hypertrophy surgery, trauma, neurological diseases, or injury. Medical devices are developed to treat male urinary incontinence among them proACT® balloons. This technique was chosen in our center to achieve continence. Our study aims to evaluate safety and efficacy of proACT® balloons implanted in our center by measuring the rate of efficacy.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective and single centre study. A single expert surgeon performed all surgeries. Seventy-one balloons were implanted in 57 male patients between 2007 and 2020. Primary endpoint was the efficacy time lapse of the balloons after surgery. The analysis was performed using Kaplan-Meier method. Factors, which could affect the efficacy of the balloons, were analysed using a Cox regression analysis.

RESULTS

In all, 45 balloons successfully cured stress urinary incontinence among the 57 men implanted resulting in a 63.38% success rate. Twenty-six balloons failed to treat stress urinary incontinence and were retrieved out of the 71 implanted. Ten balloons failed to treat urinary stress incontinence without organic cause, 6 balloons deflated, 5 balloons migrated out of the initial implantation site, 2 eroded, and 3 ended up infected. Fifty percent of the balloons were successful for a median time of 95 months. Univariate analysis did not reveal any predictive factor of failure.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study showed 50% success rate at 95 months follow-up, therefore allowing a life expectancy of 7.9 years for the balloons. This safe mini-invasive technique ensured stress urinary incontinence in men.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4

Climacturia: what treatment options do we offer to those with and without concomitant erectile dysfunction?

Radical prostatectomy for prostate cancer carries many sequelae, including climacturia, which is not commonly discussed and often under-recognized. To better understand treatment options for incontinence and climacturia, as well as those at time of penile implantation surgery, we completed a comprehensive literature review to identify nonoperative and operative treatments for patients with climacturia alone and those with concomitant climacturia and erectile dysfunction. Nonoperative interventions include behavioral modifications, physical therapy, and tension loops. Operative interventions include the artificial urinary sphincter, male urethral slings, Mini-Jupette sling, and a periurethral prosthesis. We also explore options that can be offered to patients who are also in need of penile prosthesis for concomitant erectile dysfunction. Contemporary work suggests that synchronous implantation of certain devices to treat both climacturia and erectile dysfunction can be done with proven safety and efficacy.

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.

Magnetically controlled artificial urinary sphincter: An overview from existing devices to future developments

BACKGROUND

Urinary incontinence is a common clinical problem in the world today. Artificial urinary sphincter is a good treatment approach for severe urinary incontinence, which is designed to mimic the action of the human urinary sphincter and assist patients to regain urinary function.

METHODS

There are many control methods based on artificial urinary sphincter, such as hydraulic control, electromechanical control, magnetic control, and shape memory alloy control. In this paper, the literature was first searched and documented based on PRISMA search strategy for selected specific subject terms. Then, a comparison of artificial urethral sphincters based on different control methods was conducted, and the research progress of magnetically controlled artificial urethral sphincters was reviewed, and their advantages and disadvantages were summarized. Finally, the design factors for the clinical application of magnetically controlled artificial urinary sphincter are discussed.

RESULTS

As magnetic control allows for non-contact force transfer and does not generate heat, it is proposed that magnetic control may be one of the more promising control methods. The design of future magnetically controlled artificial urinary sphincters will need a variety of considerations, including the structural design of the device, manufacturing materials, manufacturing costs, and convenience. In addition, validation of the safety and effectiveness of the device and device management are equally important.

CONCLUSIONS

The design of an ideal magnetically controlled artificial urinary sphincter is of great importance to enhance patient treatment outcomes. However, there are still great challenges to be faced for the clinical application of such devices.

Artificial sphincters: An overview from existing devices to novel technologies

Artificial sphincters (ASs) are used to replace the function of the biological sphincters in case of severe urinary and fecal incontinence (UI and FI), and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The design of ASs is established on different mechanisms, e.g., magnetic forces or hydraulic pressure, with the final goal to achieve a implantable and durable AS. In clinical practice, the implantation of in-commerce AS is considered a reasonable solution, despite the sub-optimal clinical outcomes. The failure of these surgeries is due to the malfunction of the devices (between 46 and 51%) or the side effects on the biological tissues (more than 38%), such as infection and atrophy. Concentrating on this latter characteristic, particular attention has been given to the interaction between the biological tissues and AS, pointing out the closing mechanism around the duct and the effect on the tissues. To analyze this aspect, an overview of existing commercial/ready-on-market ASs for GERD, UI, and FI, together with the clinical outcomes available from the in-commerce AS, is given. Moreover, this invited review discusses ongoing developments and future research pathways for creating novel ASs. The application of engineering principles and design concepts to medicine enhances the quality of healthcare and improves patient outcomes. In this context, computational methods represent an innovative solution in the design of ASs, proving data on the occlusive force and pressure necessary to guarantee occlusion and avoid tissue damage, considering the coupling between different device sizes and individual variability.

Future considerations in prosthetic urology

Since their popularization, genitourinary prosthetics have remained a gold-standard therapy for the treatment of erectile dysfunction and stress urinary incontinence and in cases of testicular loss or dysfunction. They have also represented an area of significant innovation, which has contributed to excellent long-term outcomes. Given this history, the objective of the current review was to provide a 5–10-year outlook on anticipated trends and developments in the field of genitourinary prosthetics. To accomplish this objective, a PubMed and patent search was performed of topics relating to penile and testicular prostheses and urinary sphincters. In regard to penile prostheses, findings demonstrated several new concepts including temperature-sensitive alloys, automated pumps, devices designed specifically for neophalluses, and improved malleable designs. With artificial urinary sphincters, new concepts include the ability to add or remove fluid from an existing system, two-piece systems, and new mechanisms to occlude the urethra. For testicular prosthetics, future implementations may not only better replicate the feel of a biological testicle but also add endocrinological functions. Beyond device innovation, the future of prosthetics is also one of expanding geographic boundaries, which necessitates variable cost modeling and regulatory considerations. Surgical trends are also changing, with a greater emphasis on nonnarcotic, postoperative pain control, outpatient surgeries, and adjunctive techniques to lengthen the penis and address concomitant stress incontinence, among others. Concomitant with device and surgical changes, future considerations also include a greater need for education and training, particularly given the rapid expansion of sexual medicine into developing nations.

Synchronous surgery for the combined treatment of post-radical prostatectomy erectile dysfunction and stress urinary incontinence: a lucrative evolution or an unnecessary complexity?

Aim of this review is to summarize and evaluate the current literature addressing the synchronous combined surgical treatment approach for co-existent post-radical prostatectomy erectile dysfunction and stress urinary incontinence. Severity of stress urinary incontinence is the basic element that defines which option of combined surgery will be offered to a patient. So, for cases of severe erectile dysfunction and severe stress urinary incontinence (>4 pads/day) the only available option is synchronous inflatable penile prosthesis plus artificial urinary sphincter dual implantation. When severe erectile dysfunction coexist with mild to moderate stress urinary incontinence synchronous inflatable penile prosthesis plus male sling or ProAct (Uromedica, Plymouth, MN, USA) device are the current available treatment options. Finally, when severe erectile dysfunction along with mild stress urinary incontinence and with or without climacturia are present, a new surgical technique of simultaneous inflatable penile prosthesis plus urethral mini-sling, named "Andrianne mini-jupette", implantation has been recently proposed. Synchronous combined surgery for post-radical prostatectomy erectile dysfunction and stress urinary incontinence seems to offer similar efficacy and safety results compared with two-stage implantation but in a more cost- and time effective approach. Thus, synchronous surgery, in the hands of experienced prosthetic surgeons, could be potentially a valuable alternative for the management of co-existent post-radical prostatectomy erectile dysfunction and stress urinary incontinence. Nevertheless, in order to acquire robust scientific data further prospective comparative studies on larger numbers of patients are surely needed.

Artificial Urinary Sphincter for Postradical Prostatectomy Urinary Incontinence - Is It the Best Option?

Male stress urinary incontinence (SUI) can undoubtedly reduce quality of life and promote personal distress and psychosocial alienation. The frequency of postprostatectomy urinary incontinence (PPI) counts on the characterization of urinary incontinence and the periods of patient follow-up. Operational therapeutics, for instance, urethral male slings and artificial urinary sphincters, are well-chosen as adequate and secure surgeries for male SUI in men with continual PPI when conservative treatment is ineffective. Over the former 2 decades, surgery has progressed regarding both operative approach and sling architecture. However, there are no guidelines about when surgery should be carried out and which is the most appropriate surgical option. In this review, we summarize recent advances in implantable devices for PPI and also discuss traditional surgical care. When we are planning the male PPI surgery, careful preoperative work-up should be performed and surgical method should be chosen according to the severity of the disease. Male sling is preferred in mild and moderate symptomatic patients with normal detrusor pressure and it is recommended to select traditional artificial urinary sphincter device in those with severe symptoms. It is expected that effective devices without adverse events will be developed with technical advances in near future.

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.

[Differentiated surgical treatment of male stress urinary incontinence-between intention and reality?]

The differentiated surgical treatment of male urinary incontinence is a very interesting and sometimes also emotional topic, in which evidence is increasingly maturing. Nowadays, the most common surgical procedures are fixed sling and adjustable incontinence systems as well as the artificial urinary sphincter. The evidence for the procedures varies and there is currently a lack of prospective, comparative studies. The challenging question is: Which operation is the best for which patient? The following article is intended to give an overview of the surgical options and a constructive attempt to differentiate the indication.

Outcome and complications of adjustable continence therapy (ProACTTM ) in the treatment of urinary incontinence after transurethral resection of the prostate: A multicenter study

Aim

To evaluate the outcome of adjustable continence balloons in the treatment of stress urinary incontinence (SUI) after transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP).

Methods

In two tertiary centers, adjustable continence balloons were implanted in 29 patients with post‐TURP SUI between 2007 and 2018. Endpoints of this retrospective multicenter study were patient‐reported changes in pad count and complications. Dry was defined as no pad or one security pad.

Results

Preoperative urinary incontinence was mild in 7 (24%), moderate in 12 (41%), and severe in 10 (35%) patients. The median follow‐up duration was 21 (interquartile range [IQR], 11‐43) months. Within 30 days postoperatively, a Clavien‐Dindo grade less than or equal to II complication occurred in 24% of the patients. Reintervention rate was 24%. Six and 12 months after implantation, the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) quality‐of‐life item improved significantly from 5 (IQR, 5‐6) preoperatively to 3 (IQR, 1‐4.5) and 1 (IQR, 0‐3), respectively. At last visit (median 21 months after implantation), the outcome on continence had improved in 76% of the patients, including, 45% dry patients. After a median follow‐up of 28 months (IQR, 13‐63; N = 23), all but one patient reported improvement on the Patient Global Impression of Improvement (PGI‐I) scale. In detail, 10 patients reported “very much better” condition compared with before the implantation, 10 patients “much better,” two patients “a little better,” and one patient “no change.” Daily pad use decreased from three (IQR, 2‐5) to one (IQR, 0‐2) pads/day (P < 0.001).

Conclusions

This is hitherto, the first study reporting results of adjustable continence balloons in the treatment of post‐TURP SUI. The therapy was found to be safe and efficient. The majority of our study population reported improvement on their condition and greater than or equal to 50% reduction in daily pad use.

A Functional Comparison of Treatment of Intrinsic Sphincter Deficiency with Muscle-Derived and Adipose Tissue-Derived Stem Cells

This study investigated the effect of muscle-derived stem cells (MDSCs) and adipose tissue-derived stem cells (ADSCs) in the treatment of stress urinary incontinence (SUI) and their differences in a rat model. MDSCs and ADSC were isolated from rats (n = 10), examined for their properties, and labeled with enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) and β-galactosidase (β-gal) gene. Rats received bladder-neck and transurethral sphincter injection of EGFP-labeled MDSCs and β-gal gene-labeled ADSC and injection of D-Hanks as a control (n = 24 each group). At 0, 15, 30, and 60 days after cells injection, urinary voiding function was assessed by urine dynamics detector. The rats were killed to harvest their urethras for tracking of MDSCs and ADSC. Western blotting and quantitative real-time reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR) was performed to detect smooth muscle contents. Urodynamic test showed that MDSCs and ADSC improved the function of urination in rats with intrinsic sphincter deficiency (ISD), and effect of MDSCs-treatment was more pronounced. In addition, histologic analysis showed that the MDSCs and ADSC-treated groups had significantly higher myosin and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) content than the control group. Compared with ADSC-treated groups, the MDSCs-treated groups in myosin and α-SMA content showed the tendency of increase. In summary, MDSCs and ADSCs have obvious effects in the treatment and/or prevention of ISD and transplantation of MDSCs is more effective than ADSC. © 2018 IUBMB Life, 70(10):976-984, 2018.

Treatment with an adjustable long-term implant for post-prostatectomy stress incontinence: The ProACT™ pivotal trial

AIMS

This paper presents 18-month follow-up results for patients enrolled in a pivotal study conducted to support an FDA premarket approval application (PMAA). The trial evaluated the safety and efficacy of the ProACT Adjustable Continence Therapy for the treatment of post-prostatectomy stress urinary incontinence (SUI).

METHODS

The clinical study involved 11 clinical sites and enrolled 160 subjects. A total of 124 subjects met study criteria and 123 underwent ProACT implantation from July 2005 through June 2007, of whom 98 completed 18-month follow-up. Endpoints included 24-h pad weight, Incontinence Quality of Life Questionnaire (I-QOL), UCLA Prostate Cancer Index-Urinary Function (PCI-UF), residual volume, and device or procedure-related adverse events (AEs).

RESULTS

The mean surgical time was 32 min. Statistically significant improvements during follow-up were observed in 24-h pad weight, for which the cohort mean pre-implant urine loss was 399 g, which was reduced at 18 months to 160 g (P < 0.001). Reductions in pad weight were observed across all levels of pre-implant SUI severity. Significant improvements were also seen in quality of life as measured by the I-QOL (P < 0.001) as well as measures of urinary function and pad count. One procedure-related serious adverse event (SAE), retention, was reported among the 124 subjects; the SAE was resolved without clinical meaningful sequalae.

CONCLUSIONS

These results demonstrate the safety and efficacy of this newly FDA-approved therapy, showing significant improvements in objective and subjective measures of SUI in mild, moderate, and severely incontinent male patients. The duration of the implant procedure is short, and complications are mild and easily resolvable.

Is the adjustable transobturator system ATOMS® useful for the treatment of male urinary incontinence in low to medium volume urological centers?

INTRODUCTION

Urinary incontinence (UI) is a complication of radical prostatectomy (RP) and transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP). The gold-standard treatment is the artificial urinary sphincter, however, new treatments have been investigated.

OBJECTIVE

To examine the outcome of an adjustable transobturator male system (ATOMS^®) in men with UI after prostatic surgery in a low to medium volume continence center.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Twenty-five men with UI were implanted with ATOMS^® system between 2012 and 2014. The most common indication was UI after RP (92%), followed by UI after TURP (8%). Eleven patients (44%) had received adjuvant external beam radiotherapy (RT). Patients were considered to be 'dry' if they stopped wearing pads or needed just one protective pad per day; and improved if the daily number of pads used decreased by at least half. The Incontinence Quality of Life questionnaire (ICIQ-SF) was used, adding a verbal question about the satisfaction of the patient considering the outcome.

RESULTS

After a mean follow-up of 21.56 months, 64% were dry and 8% revealed a significant improvement. The success of the procedure was negatively correlated with the severity of the previous UI and with previous treatment with RT. Concerning patients satisfaction, 84% of the patients would repeat the procedure.

CONCLUSION

ATOMS^® offers good rates of cure and improvement of UI after prostatic surgery with a reasonable rate of minor complications. The results of this study, performed in a low to medium volume continence center, are comparable to the results achieved in high volume continence centers.

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.

Implantable Systems for Stress Urinary Incontinence

Stress urinary incontinence (SUI), the involuntary urine leakage due to failure of the urethral closure mechanism, is a global health challenge with substantial human suffering and socioeconomic costs. Approximately 167 million male and female patients are predicted to suffer from SUI in 2018, worldwide. A wide range of surgical interventions are available for the treatment of SUI. Severe cases, however, usually require the implantation of artificial urinary sphincter devices. This review comparatively presents and analyzes the working principles, as well as the challenges, associated with the current implantable SUI systems in clinical use. These include slings, urethral bulking agents, artificial urinary sphincters, and adjustable continence devices. It further reports on recent research progress and state-of-the-art in the field of SUI implants, including an original approach proposed by the authors with a pressure feedback sensory mechanism. The new emerging field of artificial muscle devices, including electroactive polymers, provides a promising innovative solution for replacing the weakened urethral sphincter in SUI patients.

Sequential treatment with ProACT™ device implantation after male sling failure for male urinary incontinence

OBJECTIVES

There is no strong evidence for second line therapy after male sling failure for post-prostatectomy urinary incontinence (PPUI). We report the outcomes after periurethral balloons implantation for persistence or recurrence of mild PPI symptoms after male sling implantation.

METHODS

All patients implanted of a ProACT™ device (Uromedica, Inc., MN, USA) following I-STOP transobturator male sling (TOMS) failure, in a tertiary reference center between 2009 and 2016, were included. Patients were evaluated by 24-hour pad-test before and after implantation, and after each balloon repressurizing procedure. PGI-I and Likert scale patient satisfaction were estimated during a telephone interview conducted in 2016. Objective and subjective cure of urinary incontinence were defined by a 24-hour pad-test<8g and the use of zero or one pad per day, respectively.

RESULTS

Fourteen patients were included. Median follow-up was 34months [4-89]. Objective and subjective cure were 29% (n=4) and 57% (n=8), respectively. Median pad-test decreased from 95g [IQR: 130] to 34g [IQR: 83] (P=0.022). ProACT™ significantly decreased median pad-test by a factor 2.73 [1.19-6.29]. Eighty-eight percent patients were feeling a little better, much better or very much better and 77% were satisfied or very satisfied at the end of follow-up. Reoperation rate was 28% (n=4): 3 balloons were changed for caudally migration (n=2) or deflation (n=1) and 1 had a urinary sphincter implanted for severe UI.

CONCLUSIONS

ProACT™ is a safe and efficient treatment that can be used in second line therapy after TOMS failure for PPUI.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

4.

Contemporary surgical devices for male stress urinary incontinence: a review of technological advances in current continence surgery

Male stress urinary incontinence (SUI) remains a debilitating condition that adversely impacts all domains of quality of life and is associated with significant social stigma and health economic burden. The incidence of post-prostatectomy urinary incontinence (PPI) depends on the definition of urinary incontinence and the length of patient follow up. In patients with persistent PPI following failure of conservative measures, surgical treatment is recommended although there is no published guideline on when surgery should be performed, and what the best surgical option is. Male slings (MS) can be divided into adjustable or non-adjustable types, and offers an attractive option for patients who wish to avoid mechanical handling during urinary voiding. Published intermediate data supports good safety and efficacy rate in men with mild to moderate degree of SUI. The AMS 800 artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) remains the standard of treatment for complete continence and has the longest efficacy and safety records. Other AUS-like devices are designed to address current AMS 800 limitations but themselves are fraught with their own issues.

Argus T® versus Advance® Sling for postprostatectomy urinary incontinence: A randomized clinical trial

Objective

To compare the results of two slings, Argus T® and Advance®, for the treatment of postprostatectomy urinary incontinence (PPUI). Material and Methods: From December 2010 to December 2011, 22 patients with PPUI were randomized as follows: 11 (mean age 62.09(±5.30)) underwent treatment with Advance® and 11 (mean age 62.55(±8.54)) with Argus T®. All patients were evaluated preoperatively with urodynamic testing, quality of life questionnaire (ICIQ-SF), voiding diary and 24-hour pad test. Exclusion criteria were: neurological diseases, severe detrusor overactivity and urethral stenosis. Evaluation was performed at 6, 12 and 18 months after the surgery. After implantation of the Argus T® sling, patients who experienced urine leakage equal to or greater than the initial volume underwent adjustment of the sling tension. Results were statistically analyzed using the Fisher’s test, Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, Friedman’s non-parametric test or the Mann-Whitney test.

Results

Significant improvement of the 24-hour pad test was observed with the Argus T® sling (p=0.038) , With regard to the other parameters, there was no significant difference between the two groups. Removal of the Argus T® device due to perineal pain was performed in one patient (9%). Despite non uniform results, both devices were considered useful to improve quality of life (ICIQ-SF): Argus T® (p=0.018) and Advance® (p=0.017).

Conclusions

Better results were observed in the 24h pad test and in levels of satisfaction with the Argus T® device. Both slings contributed to improve quality of life (ICIQ-SF), with acceptable side effects.

Management of Male and Female Neurogenic Stress Urinary Incontinence in Spinal Cord Injured (SCI) Patients Using Adjustable Continence Therapy

Introduction

Artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) is an option for the treatment of neurogenic stress urinary incontinence (nSUI), but complications and re-operation rates are high, and there is no clear indication from guidelines ( 1 ). The aim of our study is to evaluate the effectiveness of a less invasive continence device in neurogenic population: Adjustable Continence Therapy ProACT/ACT®.

Methods

We retrospectively includedpatients with spinal cord injuries in this study, complaining of nSUI and treated at our Institution with Pro-ACT/ACT® implantation. Diagnosis of nSUI was achieved with clinical history data collection and video-urodynamic testing.

Results

We treated 13 males and 3 females by proACT/ACT device, mean age 47.5 years (range 27-71). Fifteen implantations were performed bilaterally under spinal anesthesia and under fluoroscopic control; in one male patient, only the right balloon was implanted. Mean refilling number was 2.8 (range 0-6), and mean final volume was 3.6 ml. No patient reported any perioperative complications according to Clavien-Dindo. Follow-up was 37 months (range 7-156). Five patients (31%) underwent device explantation for deflate in one case, erosion or migration in three cases (18%), and infection in one case. About 43.75% of patients were dry and 18.75% improved more than 50% their urine loss, 37.5% of patients improved less than 50%, and no one reported worsening of incontinence.

Conclusions

Implantation of proACT/ACT® device is safe and a minimally invasive procedure also in neurological patients, with a relative low rate of intra and postoperative complications. Efficacy is good, although slightly lower than the results in non-neurological patients.

Single-centre experience in using the adjustable transobturator male system in treatment of stress urinary incontinence in patients after radical prostatectomy

Context:

Urinary incontinence is the most threatening complication after radical prostatectomy. This disorder has an important impact on the quality of life of patients and its treatment is a challenge for urologists as well.

Objective:

The objective of this article is to report our experience with the adjustable transobturator male system (ATOMS, AMI, Austria) for the treatment of post-prostatectomy incontinence.

Material and methods:

A total of 35 men with post-prostatectomy incontinence were treated. Before and after device implantation, the number of pads used per day was counted, and a one-hour pad test, uroflowmetry and postmicturition residual volume were assessed. Prior to surgery, anastomosis stricture was either ruled out or treated. To evaluate the success rate, ‘cured’ was defined as no pad use or one safety pad, ‘improved’ was defined as one or two pads or reduction of pad usage by more than 50%, respectively. All data about efficacy and safety were collected from all 35 patients.

Results:

After a median (range) follow-up of 21.2 (3–63) months, the success rate was 32 out of 35 patients (91.5%) with 22 patients (62.9%) ‘cured’ and 10 patients (28.6%) ‘improved’. Recovery of continence was achieved in seven patients (20.0%). The remaining patients (80%) needed an adjustment. The mean (range) number of adjustments to reach desired results (continence, improvement or patient satisfaction) was 4.3 (1–15). The most common adverse event was transient perineal pain, which was reported in 14 (40%) patients and disappeared within two weeks. Temporary urine retention appeared in one patient (2.9%). There were three cases (8.6%) of wound infection at the site of a port leading to explantation of the port in two patients (5.7%) and the removal of the system in one patient (2.9%).

Conclusion:

Treatment of post-prostatectomy incontinence with the self-anchoring ATOMS is safe and effective.

[Adjustable retropubic suburethral sling Remeex® in the treatment of male stress urinary incontinence: One-year results]

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of the adjustable suburethral sling Remeex^® in the treatment of male stress urinary incontinence (SUI).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Single-center prospective study of patients treated for SUI after radical prostatectomy or transurethral resection of prostate. The severity of incontinence was evaluated by the number of pads used per day. Success rate, complications and number of adjustments were studied.

RESULTS

From February 2011 to May 2015, Remeex^® was implanted in 25 patients. The average preoperative number of pads used per day was 3,8 (±1,8). Sling tension has been adjusted the day after surgery in all patients. Mean follow-up was 31 months (±15). During follow-up, 6 patients did not need any readjustment (24%) and 15 patients (60%) had to be readjusted. One Remeex system had to be completely removed because of a sub-occlusive syndrome. Three patients had early infection requiring partial system removal (Varitensor). At the end of follow-up, 9 patients were cured (36%), 9 patients (36%) were significantly improved and 7 patients (28%) were not improved. Five patients are waiting for a new readjustment.

CONCLUSION

In this short series of patients who had prostatic surgery, at mid-term follow-up, the placement of a BSUA-R was associated with an improvement or cure of urinary incontinence symptoms in two-thirds of cases.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

4.

[Functional results and treatment of functional dysfunctions after radical prostatectomy]

OBJECTIVE

To describe the functional results and treatment of functional dysfunctions after radical prostatectomy for localized prostate cancer.

MATERIAL AND METHOD

Bibliography search was performed from the database Medline (National Library of Medicine, Pubmed) selected according to the scientific relevance. The research was focused on continence, potency, les dyserections, couple sexuality, incontinence, treatments of postoperative incontinence, dysrection and trifecta.

RESULTS

Radical prostatectomy is an elaborate and challenging procedure when carcinological risk balances with functional results. Despite recent developments in surgical techniques, post-radical prostatectomy urinary incontinence (pRP-UI) continues to be one of the most devastating complications, which affects 9-16% of patients. Sphincter injury and bladder dysfunction are the most common causes or pRP-UI. The assessment of severity of pRP-UI that affects the choice of treatment is still not well standardized but should include at least a pad test and self-administered questionnaires. The implantation of an artificial urinary sphincter AMS800 remains the gold standard treatment for patients with moderate to severe pRP-UI. The development of less invasive techniques such as the male sling of Pro-ACT balloons has provided alternative therapeutic options for moderate and slight forms of pRP-UI. Most groups now consider the bulbo-urethral compressive sling as the treatment of choice for patients with non-severe pRP-UI. The most appropriate second-line therapeutic strategy is not clearly determined. Recent therapies such as adjustable artificial urinary sphincters and sling and stem cells injections have been investigated. Maintenance of a satisfying sex life is a major concern of a majority of men facing prostate cancer and its treatments. It is essential to assess the couple's sexuality before treating prostate cancer in order to deliver comprehensive information and consider early therapeutic solutions adapted to the couple's expectations. Active pharmacological erectile rehabilitation (intracavernous injections or phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors [PDE5i] on demand, during in the month following surgery) or passive (daily PDE5i after surgery) might improve the quality of erections especially in response to PDE5i. Unimpaired aspects of sexual response (orgasm) may, when the erection is not yet recovered, represent an alternative allowing the couple to preserve intimacy and complicity. Androgen blockade is a major barrier to maintain or return to a satisfying sex. Trifecta is a simple tool to present in one way the results of radical prostatectomy: in case of bilateral neurovascular preservation, Trifecta is 60% whatever the surgical approach.

CONCLUSION

Radical prostatectomy is an elaborate and challenging procedure when carcinological risk balances with functional results. Various treatments of postoperative incontinence and dysrections exist. Functional disorders after surgery have to be treated to ameliorate quality of life of patients.

Maximum Urethral Closure Pressure Increases After Successful Adjustable Continence Therapy (ProACT) for Stress Urinary Incontinence After Radical Prostatectomy

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate changes of the urethral pressure profile (UPP) after implantation of adjustable continence therapy (ProACT), a minimally invasive procedure in which 2 volume-adjustable balloons are placed periurethrally for treatment of male stress urinary incontinence. The working mechanism of the ProACT to achieve continence has not been fully understood. We hypothesized that successful treatment with ProACT improves urinary continence by inducing a significant increase in static urethral pressure.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We included patients who underwent UPP before and after ProACT implantation. UPPs were initially performed with the Brown-Wickham water perfusion method and later with the T-DOC Air-Charged catheter method. Pre- and postoperative UPPs and International Prostate Symptom Scores were evaluated. UPP measurements of successfully (no or 1 precautionary pad per day) and unsuccessfully treated patients were compared.

RESULTS

Twenty-seven patients were included in the study; 23 patients were successfully and 4 patients were unsuccessfully treated. Maximum urethral closure pressure (MUCP) increased significantly from median 58.0 to 79.0 cmH2O in the successfully treated group (P = .001). Within the subgroup of unsuccessfully treated patients, MUCP did not change significantly (P = .715). The change in MUCP was statistically significantly different between the successful and unsuccessful group (P = .034). Total score of the International Prostate Symptom Scores did not change significantly after ProACT implantation (P = .097).

CONCLUSION

Successful treatment with ProACT is associated with a significant increase of MUCP. This implies that increased static urethral pressure contributes to the working mechanism of the ProACT device to achieve continence.

Evaluation and Management of Postprostatectomy Incontinence: A Systematic Review of Current Literature

CONTEXT

Radical prostatectomy is the most common reason for male stress urinary incontinence. There is still uncertainty about its diagnostic and therapeutic management.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate current evidence regarding the diagnosis and therapy of postprostatectomy incontinence (PPI).

EVIDENCE ACQUISITION

A systematic review of the literature was performed in October 2015 using the Medline database.

EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS

Diagnosis and conservative treatment of PPI are currently mostly based on expert opinions. Pelvic floor muscle training is the noninvasive treatment of choice of PPI. For invasive management of moderate to severe PPI, the artificial urinary sphincter is still the treatment of choice, but an increasing number of adjustable and nonadjustable, noncompressive as well as compressive devices are used more frequently. However, no randomized controlled trial has yet investigated the outcome of one specific surgical treatment or compared the outcome of different surgical treatment options.

CONCLUSIONS

The level of evidence addressing the surgical management of PPI is still unsatisfactory. Further research is urgently needed.

PATIENT SUMMARY

Incontinence after the removal of the prostate (postprostatectomy incontinence) is the most common cause of male stress urinary incontinence. First-line therapy is physiotherapy and lifestyle changes. If no satisfactory improvement is obtained, various surgical treatment options are available. The most commonly used is the artificial urinary sphincter, but other treatment options like male slings are also available.

Adjustable perineal male sling using tissue expander as an effective treatment of post-prostatectomy urinary incontinence

PURPOSE

To report our intermediate experience in treating patients with severe incontinence using an adjustable perineal male sling with a tissue expander.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

An adjustable male sling procedure was performed on 21 patients with severe incontinence. The underlying etiology of urinary incontinence was radical prostatectomy in 13 patients, open prostatectomy in 5 patients and transurethral prostate resection in 3 patients. The difference between the classical and the adjustable sling is that in the latter there is a 25 mL tissue expander between the two layers of polypropylene mesh with an injection port. Adjustment of the sling was performed with saline via an inflation port, in case of recurrence or persistence of incontinence.

RESULTS

The mean age of the patients was 66.2 ± 7.3 (50-79) years and mean pad usage was 6.4 ± 0.6 per day. The mean follow-up time was 40.1 ± 23.2 (6-74) months. The balloon was postoperatively inflated on average with 11.6 ± 5.7 (5-25) mL. After the mean 40.1 months of follow-up, 16 of the 21 patients (76.2%) were dry (11 patients, 0 pads; 5 patients using safety pads), 3 patients (14%) had mild and 2 (9.8%) had moderate degree post-prostatectomy urinary incontinence (PPI). The average maximum urine flow rate of the patients was 15.6 ± 4.7 (10-31) mL/s. No residual urine was found. In 2 patients, all parts of the device were removed due to infection and discomfort, and in 3 patients only the inflation component was removed due to local scrotal infection.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results show that using an adjustable perineal male sling with a tissue expander seems to be an efficient, and safe surgical treatment option in patients with PPI.

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

Context Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) after radical prostatectomy (RP) continues to be a significant problem with several implications including patient quality of life and other critical postoperative outcomes. Objectives To report the results in terms of efficacy (pad count, 24 hr pad test, QOL questionnaires) and safety (complication rate and type of complications) of all surgical devices approved for the treatment of SUI after RP. Evidence Acquisition A systematic review was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA Statement. A literature search was carried out through the PubMed/Medline, SCOPUS, and Web of Science databases using the keywords "incontinence," "radical prostatectomy," and "'treatment". Inclusion criteria were: number of patients higher than 30, mean follow up longer than 12 months and definition of a successful outcome as the use of 0 to 1 safety pads a day. Evidence Synthesis 113 papers underwent primary review. 51 papers met the inclusion criteria with a total sample size of 4022 patients. Efficacy (0-1 safety pads) was on average 65.7% for AUS, 48.2% for Invance Sling, 48.8% for Advance Sling, 64.2% for ProACT. Twenty four hour pad test and QOL questionnaires were respectively available only in 4 and 18 studies. The overall complication rate was 19.43% for AUS, 7.4% for Invance Sling, 12.3% for Advance Sling, 12.3% for ProACT. Authors' Conclusions Due to the poor overall quality of available studies, it was impossible to identify or refute clinically important differences between the alternative surgical procedures. Although our data seems to suggest that AUS has the highest efficacy in the treatment of SUI following RP it is also associated with the highest complication rate, but this may be due to the longest follow up. Larger rigorous trials are needed in order to support this evidence. Neurourol. Urodynam. 35:875-881, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

A transobturator adjustable system for male incontinence: 30-month follow-up of a multicenter study

PURPOSE

To report long-term results of the Argus T adjustable system for treatment of post-prostatectomy urinary incontinence (PPI).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

From October 2007 to August 2008, 37 patients with PPI were included in a prospective, single-arm, multicenter trial of treatment with the Argus T adjustable system (Promedon, Argentina). Preoperative evaluation included urine culture, urethrocystoscopy, urodynamic testing, 24-h pad weight test (PWT) and quality of life questionnaires. Patients were stratified according to baseline degree of incontinence (mild-moderate or severe). Postoperative evaluation included immediate PWT, quality of life questionnaires and daily use of pads at 1, 12 and 30 months.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS

One patient was lost to follow-up. At the 30-month follow-up, 24/31 patients (77%) were dry, 3/31 (10%) improved and 4/31 (13%) were failures. In particular, in the mild-moderate group, 8/8 (100%) patients were dry. In the severe group, 20/28 patients (71%) were dry, 3/28 (11%) improved and 5/28 (18%) were failures. Median visual analogue scale (VAS) scores dropped from 9 (4-10) to 0.5 (0-10) and International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire Short Form scores from (ICIQ-SF) 19 (12-21) to 1 (0-10). Retrograde leak point pressure increased from 18 (5-29) to 35 (22-45) cm H2O after intraoperative adjustment. Complications included immediate postoperative infection in 2/36 patients (6%) and transient inguinal and/or perineal pain in 22/36 patients (61%). Argus T has a long-term high success rate (86% cure + improvement at the 30-month follow-up). Good outcomes were achieved even in severe incontinence cases and maintained for over 30 months.

Urinary incontinence following transurethral prostatectomy presenting as self inflicted penile gangrene

An elderly diabetic man with a 67 g prostate developed a moderate degree of stress urinary incontinence along with urge urinary incontinence after transurethral resection of the prostate. Initially, he did not perform the recommended pelvic floor exercise and wrapped a rubber band around his penis to control the problem. He presented with late development of penile gangrene requiring partial amputation of his penis. The stress urinary incontinence subsided on subsequent follow-up. The patient is now doing well.

[Multicenter study of Advance ® suburethral sling for treatment of postoperative urinary incontinence of male]

OBJECTIVES

To estimate in the medium term, the efficiency and morbidity of Advance(®) for the treatment of postoperative urinary incontinence for male, and determine predictive preoperative factors of success or failure.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Retrospective multicentric clinical study of patients presenting a postoperative urinary incontinence and treated by Advance(®) suburethral sling. The importance of the preoperative incontinence was classified in three groups: light (pad-test<50 g/day or 1 pad/day), moderated (pad-test between 50 and 100 g/day or 2 or 3 pads/day), severe (pad-test>100 g/day or >3 pads/day). The functional results were classified in 4 categories: continence and improvement, defining the criterion of success and unchanged situation and deteriorated situation defining the criterion of failure.

RESULTS

Sixty-six patients were included from 2008 till 2013. The radical prostatectomy was responsible in 85.5% of the cases. The incontinence was light, moderated and severe for respectively 43.4%, 35.6% and 21% of the patients. After treatment, 39.4% of the patients were continent and 78.9% in situation of success. The rate of success decreased with the severity of the incontinence (respectively 94%, 74% and 56%). For 9 patients, implantation of artificial urinary sphincter was performed without operative difficulties. Complications were urine retention (n=4), hematoma (n=3) and scrotal pains persistent more than one postoperative month (n=11).

CONCLUSION

Advance(®) suburethral sling is a technique in which the efficiency decreases with the severity of the incontinence, but which does not seem to prevent from implanting artificial urinary sphincter. Its main problem is the apparition of scrotal pain.

[Diagnosis and surgical treatment of postprostatectomy stress incontinence: recommendation of the working group Urologische Funktionsdiagnostik und Urologie der Frau]

Today, for the surgical treatment of postprostatectomy incontinence, several treatment options are available, e.g., adjustable and functional sling systems, artificial sphincter, bulking agents, and balloons. However, no recommendations in terms of specific diagnostic tools and differentiated treatment options for everyday life are available. Our aim is to provide some clinically relevant recommendations for the necessary diagnostic workup and different treatment options of postprostatetectomy incontinence to support clinical decisions in everyday life. Treatment selection should be based on contraindications. However, there is a broad overlap of the various surgical options.

Surgery for Male Urinary Incontinence: Where are we now and what is in the Pipeline?

Male stress urinary incontinence, which has radical prostatectomy as the main aetiology, affects about 39% of the adult male population and is one of the complications of radical prostatectomy with the greatest impact on the quality of life of patients. There are a wide range of treatments for stress urinary incontinence available to the urologist, ranging from conservative treatments to surgical treatments, from minimally invasive procedures to the implant of artificial sphincter prosthesis. The aim of this work is to define the state-of-the-art of surgical treatments for male stress urinary incontinence, analyzing the most recent studies in the literature and evaluating the available scientific evidence.

First experience with the ATOMS(®) implant, a new treatment option for male urinary incontinence

Introduction

Urinary incontinence (UI) is defined as any complaint of involuntary urine leakage. A description is provided of our experience with the ATOMS^® (Adjustable Transobturator Male System. Agency for Medical Innovations. A.M.I.) adjustable implant in patients with mild to moderate UI.

Material and methods

A retrospective study was made of the data referring to 13 patients treated with this adjustable system. Demographic and personal data were collected along with information on the etiology, severity, characteristics, duration of UI, complementary tests, surgery times, complications and results obtained.

Results

The full continence (no use of pad) recovery rate at the close of the study was 12/13 (92.3%). Three cases required a single filling during the mean 16 months of follow–up (range 4–32; median 14 months). A complication in the form of perineal hematoma was resolved with conservative treatment and a case of urinary retention was resolved by placing a bladder catheter for the duration of one week. Three patients experienced perineal–scrotal dysesthesias that disappeared spontaneously in the first three months.

Conclusions

The described adjustable continence system has been found to be very effective in males with mild to moderate UI. In our experience, the ATOMS^® implant offers excellent results over the middle term with a very low rate of complications that were easily resolved in all cases.

Adjustable continence therapy (ProACT™) after male sling failure for patients with post-radical prostatectomy urinary incontinence: a prospective study with one-year follow-up

PURPOSE

To assess the effects of the ProACT™ device as a second-line treatment for persistent incontinence after male sling insertion.

METHODS

Twenty consecutive patients were treated with the ProACT™ device due to persistent urinary incontinence following male sling insertion (9 AdVance™, 9 TOMS™, 2 InVance™). All balloons were implanted using a combination of fluoroscopic imaging and fibroscopic retrovision. Urinary symptoms were assessed prior to male sling insertion (T0) and before (T1) and 1 year after the ProACT™ insertion (T2) using questionnaires (ICIQ, USP, and ULCA-PCI-urinary bother) and by determining the number of pads used daily.

RESULTS

The mean age of the study population at T1 was 68.6 ± 9 years. The mean volume of adjustment at T2 was 4.5 ± 2.7 mL. The previous sling did not cause any technical difficulties during ProACT™ insertion. Late wound infections occurred in the two patients who had been previously treated with the InVance sling and required removal of all implanted materials (Clavien-Dindo classification IIIb). Improvement in mean urinary scores was noted in the remaining patients (n = 18) through T0, T1, and T2, respectively: The ICIQ scores were 16.8 ± 2.6, 13.1 ± 3.4, and 5.7 ± 5.7 (P < 0.0001); USP stress urinary incontinence scores were 8 ± 1.8, 5.6 ± 2.2, and 2.4 ± 2.8, (P < 0.0001); USP overactive bladder symptom scores were 6.8 ± 4.3, 7.6 ± 4.3, and 4.1 ± 3.5 (P = 0.008), UCLA-PCI urinary bother scores were 7.1 ± 11.3, 28.6 ± 12.9, and 69.6 ± 31.6 (P < 0.0001), and number of pads used were 2.9 ± 1, 2 ± 1, and 0.3 ± 0.9 (P < 0.0001). USP obstructive symptoms were 0.4 ± 1, 1 ± 1.6, and 1.3 ± 1.4 (P = 0.19).

CONCLUSIONS

The Pro-ACT™ device may provide additional benefits for improving continence in case of persistent incontinence following male sling insertion.

Incontinence after radical prostatectomy: Anything new in its management?

INTRODUCTION

With the increasing number of radical prostatectomies (RP) performed, male stress urinary incontinence (SUI) has become common. The artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) is the gold standard to treat SUI post-RP, but new devices have recently been developed. We review the recent studies on the treatment of SUI post-RP; we also describe the surgical techniques, mechanisms of action and results of these new procedures.

METHODS

We conducted a literature review search in the PubMed/Medline and Embase databases. Our search was restricted to recent articles. We included studies even if the urinary incontinence was due to sphincter deficiency after RP in non-neurologic patients.

RESULTS

We found 8 cohort studies for the surgical procedure: 3 studies concerning slings, 1 involving balloons adjustable implant, and 4 involving new devices. The only randomized controlled trial (RCT) was a pharmacologic clinical trial comparing duloxetine to placebo. The social continence rates were analyzed for 6 studies and were up to 66%.

CONCLUSION

New minimally invasive surgical procedures have emerged as the main alternative to AUS, with social continence rates up to 60% despite just 1 RCT studying the pharmacologic approach. There is an urgent need for well-designed clinical trials to clarify the role of new surgical alternatives in the management of SUI post-RP. New technologies should continue to be evaluated and compared with the AUS, which remains the gold standard.

Post-prostatectomy incontinence: Etiology, evaluation, and management

Urinary incontinence after prostatectomy or radiation is a devastating problem in men and remains the most feared complication following the treatment of localized prostate cancer. With an increasing number of radical prostatectomies performed globally for prostate cancer, the impact of urinary incontinence on quality of life assumes an even greater importance. With the advent of male sling procedures, more men are now seeking treatment for incontinence. Since the introduction of the artificial urinary sphincter almost four decades ago, several surgical procedures have emerged to manage post-prostatectomy incontinence, including the male sling for milder forms of incontinence. Several of the newer procedures have shown promise in the United States; many others have been developed and utilized in other parts of the world, though they have not yet gained FDA approval in the United States. The present review seeks to illuminate the etiology, evaluation, and management of post-prostatectomy incontinence. An effort has been made to provide an algorithm to clinicians for appropriate surgical management. The surgical techniques of commonly performed procedures and their outcomes are described.

Periurethral skeletal myofibre implantation in patients with urinary incontinence and intrinsic sphincter deficiency: a phase I clinical trial

WHAT'S KNOWN ON THE SUBJECT? AND WHAT DOES THE STUDY ADD?: Cell therapy using muscle precursor cell (MPC) injections has shown promise for urinary incontinence due to intrinsic sphincter deficiency (ISD), but the cell-preparation process is complex and costly. Implantation of freshly isolated myofibres carrying MPCs, mainly satellite cells, was very efficient in repairing muscle damage in recent animal experiments. In a phase I clinical trial, we investigated whether periurethral myofibre implantation generated local myogenesis and improved continence in 10 patients (five men and five women) with ISD. We found that myofibre implantation increased intraurethral pressure and periurethral electromyographic activity in patients with ISD. There were no serious side-effects.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the safety of periurethral myofibre implantation in patients with urinary incontinence due to intrinsic sphincter deficiency (ISD) To assess the resulting myogenic process and effects on urinary continence.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

An open-label non-randomised phase I clinical trial was conducted in five men and five women with ISD (mean age, 62.5 years). A free muscle strip from the patient's gracilis muscle was implanted around the urethra as a means to deliver locally myofibres and muscle precursor cells (MPCs). Patients were assessed for collection formation and incomplete bladder emptying. The maximum urethral closure pressure (MUCP) and concomitant periurethral electromyographic (EMG) activity were recorded before surgery and 1 and 3 months after surgery. Continence was assessed using the 24-h pad test and self-completed questionnaires, for 12 months.

RESULTS

There were no serious side-effects. Continence improved significantly during the 12-month follow-up in four of the five women, including two who recovered normal continence. In the women, MUCP increased two-fold and de novo EMG periurethral activity was recorded. In the men, MUCP and EMG recordings showed similar improvements but the effect on continence was moderate. The few patients enrolled could affect these results.

CONCLUSIONS

This is the first report of a one-step procedure for transferring autologous MPCs via myofibre implantation in patients with ISD. EMG and urodynamic assessments showed improvement of periurethral muscle activity. Further work is needed to confirm and improve the therapeutic efficiency of this procedure.

Newer and novel artificial urinary sphincters (AUS): the development of alternatives to the current AUS device

INTRODUCTION

The current artificial urinary sphincter (AUS), AMS 800 (American Medical Systems, Minnesota, MN, USA) is considered the standard of care for the treatment of urinary incontinence (UI). While the long-term effectiveness, safety, and durability of the current model of the AMS 800 are well documented, it is not without its limitations and complications. Over the last few years, improvements in design and innovative research into AUS devices have increased the treatment arsenal in male UI.

METHODS

Articles from peer-reviewed journals, abstracts from scientific meetings and electronic literature searches formed the basis of this review.

RESULTS

Newer AUS models, e.g. FlowSecure, Zephyr, Pro-ACT and other novel experimental AUS devices, are designed to simulate a healthy human sphincter and address the limitation of the existing AMS 800 device.

CONCLUSIONS

Newer and novel AUS models are innovative and showed promising outcomes in short- to intermediate-term follow-up. However, there exists the need for prospective randomised clinical trials and complete reporting of adverse and long-term results before these AUS models can replace the existing AMS 800 device.

[ProACT (Adjustable Continence Therapy) implants in case of failure of other techniques for urinary incontinence]

BACKGROUND

Urinary incontinence after radical prostatectomy is one of the most feared problems. It can affect almost 40% of patients, with different degrees of severity according to each specific case. The aim of this work is to analyze our experience in ProACT (Adjustable Continence Therapy) implants, especially in case of failure of other techniques.

METHODS

Between November 2007 and December 2010, 31 patients with post-radical prostatectomy incontinence underwent a ProACT implant. Eight patients had their device explanted (in local anesthesia): in two cases the device spontaneously broke, three of them migrated in the urethra (one patient received radiation therapy), another one was infected in the device site (one in BCG treatment for non-muscle invasive bladder cancer), two devices were wrongly placed. Seven of these patients had had their device replaced with success. Using pad score, incontinence was classified as mild, moderate and severe. Overall, the total amount of procedures, most of them fluoroscopic-guided in spinal anesthesia, were 38; the average duration of the surgery was 37.6 minutes. In one patient with impaired balloon volume due to monolateral device malfunction, we noticed good results in controlling incontinence; therefore, we successfully applied the same technique in other four cases with previous partial results.

RESULTS

With a total amount of 28 implants, we had 17 (60.7%) complete responses, 6 (25%) partial and 4 (14.3%) failures. We had 4 post-radiotherapy implants: one was completely dry, two were in balloon adjustment, and one of them had a replacement due to urethral erosion of the first implant.
All patients with impaired balloon inflation were satisfied: one was completely dry and three had sensible improvement.

CONCLUSIONS

The ProACT is a minimally invasive surgical therapy for post-radical prostatectomy urinary incontinence. Early failure is frequent and is mainly due to rupture and migration of the device. In these cases the solution can be the replacement, even with impaired balloon inflation.

Simultaneous penile prosthesis and male sling/artificial urinary sphincter

Erectile dysfunction (ED) and stress urinary incontinence (SUI) from urethral sphincteric deficiency is not an uncommon problem. The commonest etiology is intervention for localized prostate cancer and/or radical cystoprostatectomy for muscle invasive bladder cancer. Despite advances in surgical technology with robotic assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy and nerve sparing techniques, the rates of ED and SUI remain relatively unchanged. They both impact greatly on quality of life domains and have been associated with poor performance outcomes. Both the artificial urinary sphincter and penile prosthesis are gold standard treatments with proven efficacy, satisfaction and durability for end-stage SUI and ED respectively. Simultaneous prosthesis implantation for concurrent conditions has been well described, mostly in small retrospective series. The uptake of combination surgery has been slow due in part to technical demands of the surgery and to an extent, a heightened anxiety over potential complications. This paper aims to discuss the technical aspect of concurrent surgery for both disease entity and the current published outcomes of the various surgical techniques with this approach.