Long-term follow-up of the in-flowtrade mark intraurethral insert for the treatment of women with voiding dysfunction

Nonneurogenic female bladder outlet obstruction: Conservative and medical management

INTRODUCTION

In nonneurogenic female bladder outlet obstruction (BOO), management goals include reduction of outlet resistance to increase urinary outflow and improve bladder voiding to prevent or reduce lower and upper urinary tract (LUT and UUT) function deterioration, by correcting the underlying etiology. As significant progress has been achieved in the conservative and pharmacological management of nonneurogenic female BOO, the purpose of this article is to review and summarize the current literature.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

For this narrative review, a PubMed® search was performed by cross-referencing the keywords "female bladder outlet obstruction," "female voiding dysfunction," "conservative management," "pharmacological management," and "treatment" with various terms related to the management of female BOO. Clinical practice guidelines and landmark reviews from the most renowned experts in the field were also used.

MANAGEMENT

This review discusses and summarizes the conservative and pharmacological management of nonneurogenic female BOO based on the most relevant data currently available in the literature.

CONCLUSION

The recent advances in the understanding of underlying mechanisms involved in female BOO allow for more individualized management. Conservative and pharmacological options show interesting outcomes, particularly in the context of a functional cause of BOO. Overall, the level of evidence is still low regarding the use of conservative and pharmacological measures and more long-term data are required.

The inFlow intraurethral valve-pump for women with detrusor underactivity: A summary of peer-reviewed literature

Context: Detrusor underactivity (DUA) in women can result in urinary retention and the need for chronic bladder drainage management. Without a cure for urinary retention due to DUA, treatment options are focused on effective bladder drainage most often by intermittent or continuous catheter drainage. The inFlow intraurethral valve pump was FDA approved for use in women with this condition in 2014.Methods: Using a literature search, this clinical review sought to explore the epidemiology and commonly used treatment options for women with DUA and critically examine all available studies of the inFlow urinary prosthesis.Results: Due to a lack of effective treatments to improve detrusor function, DUA is generally considered incurable and there are limited treatment options which mostly focus on effective bladder drainage. The inFlow urinary prosthesis is a unique technology which utilizes a nonsurgically inserted urethral device for females to assist with bladder drainage due to DUA. The inFlow urinary prosthesis has been used in Europe and elsewhere for 20 years and is the subject of seven peer-reviewed clinical studies. For those that tolerate the device (about half), the inFlow urinary prosthesis has a low infection rate and side effect profile, is easy to use, and can normalize urination by returning autonomy to patients and thus improve their quality of life.Conclusion: There is no cure for women with DUA. Bladder drainage can be managed by intermittent or continuous catheterization. Appropriately selected women interested in an alternative to catheterization may be offered an on-device trial of the inFlow urinary prosthesis.

European Association of Urology Guidelines on the Management of Female Non-neurogenic Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms. Part 2: Underactive Bladder, Bladder Outlet Obstruction, and Nocturia

CONTEXT

Female lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) are a common presentation in urological practice. Thus far, only a limited number of female LUTS conditions have been included in the European Association of Urology (EAU) guidelines compendium. The new non-neurogenic female LUTS guidelines expand the remit to include these symptoms and conditions.

OBJECTIVE

To summarise the management of underactive bladder (UAB), bladder outlet obstruction (BOO), and nocturia in females.

EVIDENCE ACQUISITION

The literature search was updated in September 2021 and evidence synthesis was conducted using modified GRADE approach as outlined for all EAU guidelines. A new systematic review on BOO was carried out by the panel for purposes of this guideline.

EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS

The important considerations for informing guideline recommendations are presented, along with a summary of all the guideline recommendations.

CONCLUSIONS

Non-neurogenic female LUTS are an important presentation of urological dysfunction. Initial evaluation, diagnosis, and management should be carried out in a structured and logical fashion on the basis of the best available evidence. This guideline serves to present this evidence to practising urologists and other health care providers in an easily accessible and digestible format.

PATIENT SUMMARY

This report summarises the main recommendations from the European Association of Urology guideline on symptoms and diseases of the female lower urinary tract (bladder and urethra) not associated with neurological disease. We cover recommendations related to the treatment of underactive bladder, obstruction of the bladder outlet, and nighttime urination.

Multi-Centre Study of Intraurethral Valve-Pump Catheter in Women with a Hypocontractile or Acontractile Bladder

OBJECTIVES

To compare the safety, effectiveness and patient satisfaction of an intraurethral valve-pump catheter (In-Flow) versus the current standard of care, clean intermittent catheterization (CIC), for females with hypocontractile or acontractile bladder.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study was a multi-centre, prospective, single-arm crossover study. Eligible patients underwent a 1-week In-Flow tolerability trial. Successful patients then continued through an 8-week baseline phase using CIC, followed by a 16-week In-Flow treatment phase, and a final 4-week treatment withdrawal phase. Outcome measures included post-void residual (PVR), Wagner incontinence-specific quality of life (I-QOL), rate of urinary tract infection and adverse events. At study completion, open enrollment was offered.

RESULTS

A total of 273 women with a mean age of 48.9 years using CIC entered the study in 18 centres under either the original (n=88) or revised protocols (n=185). The revised protocol included the addition of a 1-week tolerability trial. The reasons for the large early withdrawal of subjects (169/273) were mainly related to initial discomfort and leakage. A total of 77 patients completed the In-Flow treatment phase. PVR was comparable during baseline CIC phase and In-Flow treatment phase (20.3 ml vs. 16.1 ml), with significantly improved quality of life (QOL; mean improvement of I-QOL score +25.9; p<0.001).

CONCLUSION

The In-Flow catheter appears to be a viable alternative to CIC. A subgroup of patients, mainly those unsatisfied with the currently available treatments, was more likely to tolerate In-Flow catheters, and they may achieve enhanced independence and QOL.

Female voiding dysfunction

Female voiding dysfunction is poorly understood; it lacks standard definitions, and there is no consensus on diagnostic criteria. In the majority of women who are neurologically intact the cause is idiopathic. It affects the sufferers' quality of life, but unfortunately there is a paucity of published literature on its management. This review examines the current knowledge on the management of this common problem. Diagnosis is aimed at identifying the underlying aetiological factors, which are discussed, as well as the importance of a detailed history and focused physical examination. Investigations essential to management are outlined. Developments in the medical treatment of voiding dysfunction have been disappointing. The role of surgery is even more limited except for those with postoperative voiding problems after new-generation sling procedures. Intermittent self-catheterisation, supervised and supported by a dedicated nursing specialist, remains the mainstay of management. A multidisciplinary approach is essential to success. Emerging treatment modalities such as sacral and peripheral neuromodulation and the use of alpha(1)-blockers are discussed. Botulinum toxin A injections have been useful in some cases. There are relatively few publications on the effectiveness of these interventions in clinical practice. These issues need to be addressed by quality research. Female voiding dysfunction presents a challenge to urogynaecologists and urologists alike.

Urethral device in women with chronic urinary retention: an alternative to self-catheterization?

OBJECTIVE

To assess the efficacy and safety of a new urethral prosthesis in the management of chronic urinary retention in women as an alternative to intermittent or indwelling catheterization.

METHODS

Between May 1999 and July 2000, 60 women with chronic urinary retention were prospectively enrolled in the study. The prosthesis was inserted under local anaesthesia. A magnetic control unit activates the urethral device to achieve micturition. Duration of the experience, complications and compliance were evaluated.

RESULTS

Thirty patients were satisfied with the device. Discontinuation occurred in the first two weeks following implantation in 50% of cases. Bladder migration of the prosthesis occurred in two cases, urinary leakage around the device in four patients, spontaneous expulsion in two women and cystitis was diagnosed in two cases.

CONCLUSION

This intraurethral prosthesis is an attractive, simple technique for use as an alternative to catheterization. Some untoward events and technical complications explained the number of discontinuations.

Impaired detrusor contractility: anything new?

Impaired detrusor contractility (IDC) is a poorly defined entity that represents a treatment challenge for the urologist. The etiology of IDC is variable and may include neurologic disorders, inflammatory conditions, and pharmacologic and psychogenic causes. The gold standard for the treatment of IDC is clean intermittent catheterization (CIC). Although well-established as efficacious and safe, CIC may be conceived as a major burden on a patient's quality of life and has been associated with urinary tract infections and urethral and/or bladder injury. Alternative treatment modalities for IDC can be divided into interventions at the nervous system supplying the bladder, the bladder itself, or the bladder outlet. We review and discuss novel and creative treatment options for patients with IDC that have been developed or tested over the past decade.

Voiding dysfunction

Voiding dysfunction in women is common, but is frequently undiagnosed until the patient presents with symptoms. The aetiology of voiding dysfunction includes the following, any of which may lead to acute or chronic disorders: obstructive causes; postsurgical conditions; neurological disorders; overdistension; inflammatory, pharmacological, psychogenic causes and learned voiding dysfunction; detrusor myopathy and urethral sphincter hypertrophy. Clinical assessment should include history, and general, neurological and pelvic examinations. Investigations may include uroflowmetry, ultrasound for residual urine and upper urinary tract dilatation, urodynamic assessment and electromyography. New surgical techniques to identify vesical branches of the pelvic nerves intraoperatively during radical hysterectomy have been shown to help prevent voiding dysfunction postoperatively. If acute retention occurs, then bladder drainage is the most important measure. Suprapubic catheters are superior to transurethral catheters if long-term voiding difficulties are expected. Whenever possible, patients with chronic retention should be taught clean intermittent self-catheterization. Depending on the cause, other possible treatment options include urethral dilatation, insertion of an intraurethral device, and neuromodulation. Voiding dysfunction in women is still poorly understood. Prompt management of acute retention is essential, and clean intermittent self-catheterization remains the most effective therapy for chronic retention.