Male incontinence: Pathophysiology and management

Pre-prostatectomy membranous urethral length as a predictive factor of post prostatectomy incontinence requiring surgical intervention with an artificial urinary sphincter or a male sling

AIMS

To ascertain whether the membranous urethral length (MUL) is predictive of postprostatectomy incontinence (PPI) that requires surgery such as artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) or male sling (MS).

METHODS

Men who had undergone AUS or MS for PPI were identified from a prospectively maintained database and compared to a control group of men who were continent at 12 months after radical prostatectomy. MUL in sagittal and coronal planes, sphincter height and width were measured on prebiopsy T2-weighted MRI scans. Sphincter volume was estimated as an ellipsoid cylinder.

RESULTS

A total of 95 patients (64 AUS and 31 MS) were compared to 60 continent controls. There was no statistical difference in presenting PSA, prostate volume, and T-stage. The mean MUL in sagittal and coronal planes was 11.31 mm (SD: 2.6, range: 6-17 mm) and 11.43 mm (SD: 2.94, range: 5-17 mm) in patients who had AUS and MS, respectively; 15.23 mm (SD: 4.2, range: 8.25-25 mm) and 15.75 mm (SD: 4.1, range: 8-24 mm) in controls (p < 0.01). No men in the PPI surgery group had an MUL >17 mm compared to 35% (20/57 sagittal, 20/58 coronal) of controls. The odds ratio for requiring surgery for PPI was 13.4 for sagittal MUL <9 mm and 3.2 if the MUL <12 mm.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients who had surgery for PPI had a significantly shorter MUL and sphincter volume than continent controls. Men with an MUL >17 mm are unlikely to require surgery for PPI whereas an MUL <12 mm significantly increases the risk of requiring surgery for PPI. MUL should be considered when discussing treatment options for prostate cancer.

Tissue Engineering and Its Potential to Reduce Prostate Cancer Treatment Sequelae-Narrative Review

Tissue engineering offers the possibility to overcome limitations of current management for postprostatectomy incontinence and ED. Developed in recent years biotechnological feasibility of mesenchymal stem cell isolation, in vitro cultivation and implantation became the basis for new cell-based therapies oriented to induce regeneration of adult tissue. The perspective to offer patients suffering from post-prostatectomy incontinence or erectile dysfunction minimal invasive one-time procedure utilizing autologous stem cell transplantation is desired management.

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.

Feasibility of Transvesical Prostate Resection and Its Effect on Postoperative Complications

OBJECTIVE

To study the feasibility of transvesical prostate resection and its effect on urethral stricture.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We included 99 patients with symptomatic bladder outlet obstruction who underwent transvesical resection of prostate (TVRP; n = 48) and transurethral (TURP; n = 51) prostatectomy. We examined all the patients by means of digital rectal examination, transrectal ultrasound, and evaluated them by international prostate symptom score, quality of life score, uroflowmetric assessment and PSA level, and established definitive diagnosis. We followed up the patients in first month, third month, and the first year of the operation and monitored once a year in the following years.

RESULTS

In this study, totally 99 symptomatic bladder outlet obstruction patients were included (TVRP = 48 and TURP = 51). Mean age of the patients were 66.5 ± 8.2vs 68 ± 9.8years for our patients with TVRP and TURP, respectively. Two groups displayed similar values in terms of improvements in the Qmax and PVR, and there were no statistically significant differences in between. We obtained similar values for resection time and weight of resected prostate tissue in both groups. Urethral stricture was not observed in TVRP group. In TURP group however, stricture was observed in 4 (7.8%) patients in bulbar urethra in sixth month at average. And there was also a concomitant urethral meatal stricture in one of these patients. When the 2 groups were compared, the rate of urethral stricture was statistically significantly higher in the TURP group (P = .001).

CONCLUSION

Resection of prostate without using urethra significantly reduces the incidence of urethral stricture due to mucosal damage.

Sling Surgery for the Treatment of Urinary Incontinence After Transurethral Resection of the Prostate: New Data on the Virtue Male Sling and an Evaluation of Literature

OBJECTIVE

To provide a review of literature regarding the role of male slings in the treatment of stress urinary incontinence (SUI) following a transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) and to evaluate the effects of the Virtue male sling in patients with post-TURP SUI.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A systematic review of literature was performed to identify all papers on the use of male slings in patients with post-TURP SUI. Second, a prospective cohort study was conducted on 8 patients who received the Virtue as surgical treatment of post-TURP SUI. Questionnaires were collected preoperatively and 1, 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively. Success and improvement were defined as pad usage (0 pads: success, pad reduction of ≥50%: improvement). Primary end point was the continence rate 1 year postoperatively. Data were analyzed using the paired 2-tailed t test.

RESULTS

Sling surgery appears to be significantly less successful in the treatment of SUI post TURP when compared to other types of prostate surgery. The clinical trial on the Virtue sling observed continence in 4 of 8 patients, with another 2 patients with improved continence after 1-year follow-up. No difference in success was observed between patients with mild and patients with severe SUI.

CONCLUSIONS

Little is currently known about the effects of sling surgery in patients with mild to severe SUI following a TURP. Although the Virtue male sling seems to be an efficient and safe device in the treatment of this complication, longer follow-up and larger cohorts will be needed to further confirm these results.

Telephone - delivered quality of life after 365 male stress urinary incontinence (SUI) operations

Objectives:

To assess patient satisfaction and quality of life and factors that may be related to these outcomes.

Materials and Methods:

Between 2000 and 2008 a retrospective chart review and telephone survey of all surgeries for male SUI was performed. Average age at times of operation was 69.4 ± 7.4 (median 69). As part of the survey 270 of 365 patients were available (response rate: 74%). The average follow up time (from operation to telephone survey) was 34.8 ± 22.8 months (median 32).

Results:

Pad use per day improved significantly after operation from 6.23±5.3 to 1.61±2.92 pads/day (p=0.001). 74.7% (n=198) declared to be continent with one safety pad and 87.7% (n=236) confirmed the postoperative improvement of incontinence. 189 (70.5%) patients were “very satisfied” and “satisfied”. In 81% (n=218) the expectation in operation could be met, therefore 84.3% (n=226) would undergo it again and 90.3% (n=243) would recommend it to others. Lower age (rs=0.211), few postoperative pads per day (rs=0.58), high reduction of pads (rs=-0.35) and physical activity level (rs=0.2) correlate significantly with better satisfaction.

Conclusions:

Eighty-seven pint seven percent (87.7%) of our incontinence operations (n=236) lead to an improvement, which is independent from the number of prior incontinence operations and preoperative pad count. The postoperative quality of life remains constant over the observed follow up time. Certain subgroups of patients (younger age, high physical activity level, large reduction of pads) demonstrated superior satisfaction rates.

SURGICAL MANAGEMENT OF POST-PROSTATECTOMY INCONTINENCE

Post-prostatectomy incontinence (PPI) is a common and significant issue that can affect the quality of life in men who are undergoing treatment for prostate cancer. While some patients opt for conservative management of their incontinence, many elect to undergo surgical treatment as a result of the significant impact to quality of life. The most commonly employed surgical techniques to address PPI are placement of a male sling or artificial urinary sphincter (AUS). Currently, the AUS continues to serve as the gold standard for management, with robust data concerning longitudinal outcomes available. However, in recent years, the various methods to place the male sling have emerged as viable, less complex alternatives that avoid the need for pump manipulation. In the present review, we discuss these main surgical treatment modalities for PPI, and focus on the selection criteria that may influence appropriate operative stratification of PPI patients. Indeed, an individualised, comprehensive assessment of baseline urinary function, age, radiation, prior surgeries, functional status, and other comorbidities must be considered in the context of shared decision-making between the treatment provider and the patient in determining the optimal approach to managing PPI.

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.