Modified bulbar urethral sling procedure for the treatment of male sphincteric incontinence

The male sling for post-prostatectomy urinary incontinence: a review of contemporary sling designs and outcomes

OBJECTIVE

To examine the outcomes and adverse events associated with novel male sling designs described in the last decade.

METHODS

A literature review was carried out using Medline, EmBase, Cochrane Registered Trials Database and the Center for Reviews and Dissemination Database.

RESULTS

Three principal slings are described in the literature. The bone-anchored sling has success rates of 40-88%, with some series having a mean follow-up of 36-48 months. It is associated with a mesh infection rate of 2-12%, which usually requires sling explantation. The retrourethral transobturator sling has a success rate of 76-91% among three large case series with follow-ups of 12-27 months. There is a low reported explantation rate. The adjustable retropubic sling has a success rate of 72-79% with follow-ups of 26-45 months. Erosion (3-13%) and infection (3-11%) can lead to explantation.

CONCLUSIONS

Most male slings have a similar reported efficacy. Most case series define success as either dry or improved. True cure rates are lower. Mid- and long-term data are now available that indicate the male sling is a viable option for PPI. The use of male slings in severe UI, radiated patients, and non-radical prostatectomy patients is still unclear. Further study is needed to try and define criteria for the use of male slings, and to directly compare different procedures.

Male slings in the treatment of sphincteric incompetence

Sling procedures in men can be performed with little morbidity and few complications. This article discusses treatment of sphincteric incompetence with the bulbourethral sling and treatment of neurogenic bladder with the prostatic urethral sling. Men with mild-to-moderate intrinsic sphincteric dysfunction after prostatectomy seem to be appropriate candidates for the bone-anchored bulbourethral sling, and the prostatic urethral sling may be an acceptable substitute in patients with neurogenic bladder with intrinsic sphincteric dysfunction.

Polypropylene mesh tape for male sphincteric incontinence

OBJECTIVE

Management of male sphincteric incontinence is still challenging. We present our experience with a new male sling technique using polypropylene mesh tape (PMT).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A total of 12 patients (age range 17-75 years; median age 61 years) underwent the procedure. Sphincteric incontinence was due to radical prostatectomy in three patients, transurethral prostatectomy in four, open prostatectomy in two and neurologic etiologies in three. All patients had urodynamic stress incontinence with a mean Valsalva leak point pressure of 48.8 cmH2O (range 40-68 cmH2O). Through a midline incision the PMT sling was passed through the perineal membrane on each side and the limbs of the tape were withdrawn to a suprapubic incision with the help of trocars. The tension of the tape was adjusted during a retrograde sphincterometry until a retrograde leak point pressure of 30-50 cmH2O was achieved.

RESULTS

The average operative time was 65 min (45-110 min). Follow-up was 12.1-46.4 months (median 31.6 months). Urinary incontinence was cured or improved in nine patients (75%) and there was no improvement in three (25%). Intermittent catheterization was initiated in three patients with impaired detrusor contractions due to neurologic etiology. One patient had intraoperative bladder perforation and one had perineal numbness lasting for 2 months. None of the patients had urethral erosion, wound infection or any other major complications.

CONCLUSIONS

This procedure seems to be an effective and safe treatment for patients with sphincteric incontinence. Regarding the etiology of urinary incontinence, this technique seems to be more effective in transurethral prostatectomy-related sphincteric incontinence than in sphincteric incontinence of other etiologies. Further experience with more patients and a longer follow-up period is mandatory to determine the long-term effectiveness of the technique.

Transobturator Sling Suspension for Male Urinary Incontinence Including Post-Radical Prostatectomy

OBJECTIVE

To study the anatomical effects of placing a transobturator tape (TOT) in cadavers as well as determining the clinical outcome in men with urinary incontinence.

METHODS

The study was a two stage study. The first phase was a cadaver study to examine the placement of the sling. The second part involved the placement of the sling in 20 men with incontinence, which occurred post-radical prostatectomy in 15 men. All patients had pre-operative and post-operative videourodynamics, maximum flow rate (Qmax) and residual urine measurement. Urethral pressure profiles and membranous urethral length were measured in five patients pre- and postoperatively. Incontinence was assessed on the basis of pad usage. Patients' satisfaction was recorded using a non-validated patient questionnaire at 6 weeks post-operatively.

RESULTS

The cadaver study revealed that a leak point pressure of 60cmH(2)O was achieved on tensioning of the tape. In the clinical series, the mean (range) urethral closure pressure improved from 13.2 (8-22) to 86.4 (70-100) cmH(2)O following placement of the TOT. The membranous urethral length increased from a mean (range) of 3 (0-7) to 17.2 (10-22) mm following tensioning of the tape. No significant differences in Qmax pre- and postoperatively were observed. Incontinence cure rate (no pad usage) was 40% and improved rate (1-2 pads per day) was 30%. The majority of patients (12/20) were very satisfied with the procedure.

CONCLUSIONS

The TOT, a novel procedure for treatment of post-radical prostatectomy incontinence, was shown to be effective and well accepted by patients.

Adjustable suburethral sling (male remeex system) in the treatment of male stress urinary incontinence: a multicentric European study

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effectiveness of a readjustable sling for the treatment of male stress urinary incontinence (SUI).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Between October 2002 and August 2005, 51 male patients with mild to severe SUI were prospectively operated with the use of a readjustable sling (MRS) at seven different European hospitals: Spain (2), Italy (2), Greece (1), Germany (1), and Portugal (1). The origin of incontinence was radical prostatectomy in 43 cases, TUR in 4, and open prostatectomy in another 4. Duration of incontinence ranged from 1 to 10 yr with an average of 3.5 yr.

RESULTS

All patients but 5 were regulated during the early postoperative period; 44 patients (including all 5 not regulated during the early period) required a second regulation under local anaesthesia between 1 to 4 mo after surgery, and 17 other patients required more than one delayed regulation. After that, 33 patients (64.7%) were considered cured (25 of them wore no pads at all, and 8 used small pads or sanitary napkins for security but normally remained dry); another 10 cases showed important improvement (19.6%); and only 8 patients remain unchanged (15.7%). The average follow-up time was 32 mo (range: 16-50). The mesh was removed in 1 case owing to urethral erosion and the varitensor in 2 cases owing to infection. There were five (9.8%) uneventful intraoperative bladder perforations at the postoperative period, and there were three mild perineal haematomas (5.9%). Most patients felt perineal discomfort or pain, which was easily treated with oral medications.

CONCLUSIONS

The MRS((R)) allowed postoperative readjustment of the suburethral sling pressure at the immediate or midterm postoperative period, which allowed the achievement of good midterm results in almost 85% of patients without significant postoperative complications.

Prolene (mesh) bulbourethral sling in male incontinence

Objective:

We present our preliminary results of bulbar urethral sling (single bolster) in treatment of postprostatectomy urinary incontinence (PPUI).

Materials and Methods:

From May 2003 to June 2005, six patients with postprostatectomy urinary incontinence (transurethral resection of prostate in five patients and after open prostatectomy in one patient) underwent prolene mesh bulbar urethral sling surgery. Preoperative evaluation included physical examination, neurological assessment, stress cystogram and urethrocystoscopy. Urodynamic evaluation was done in all patients for abdominal leak point pressure and ruling out bladder pathology.

Results:

Urodynamic studies did not demonstrate bladder instability in any patient. Mean abdominal leak point pressure was 43cm of water (range 26–80 cm of water). Mean duration of hospital stay was 3.2 days. Follow-up ranged from 6–22 months. Four patients out of six patients were completely dry till their last follow-up. One patient developed mild stress incontinence after one year of the surgery and required use of one to two pads per day. Mean pad use after surgery was 0.6 pads per day in comparison to mean pad usage of 6.4 pads per day preoperatively. One patient was over-continent after the procedure and required clean intermittent catheterization till last follow-up (six months). Mean cost of the procedure was $ 350+15.

Conclusion:

Prolene bulbar urethral sling (single bolster) is an economically effective option in patients with postprostatectomy urinary incontinence.

Bulbourethral Composite Suspension: A New Operative Technique for Post-Prostatectomy Incontinence

PURPOSE

A new bulbourethral sling procedure is proposed for patients with post-radical prostatectomy incontinence.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Bulbourethral composite suspension was performed in 16 consecutive patients, of whom 6 (38%) had severe stress incontinence and depended on a condom urinal catheter. Urinary stress incontinence was assessed preoperatively by a modified pad test, urethrocystoscopy and urodynamic evaluation. The procedure was performed with a longitudinal perineal and a transverse suprapubic incision with the patient under regional anesthesia. We placed a porcine dermis for urethral protection and a polypropylene retropubic sling, which was tied suprapubically with the patient coughing and during retrograde urethral closure pressure monitoring at 60 cm H2O.

RESULTS

Preoperative evaluation excluded detrusor instability and urethral stricture. The polypropylene band was placed without neurogenic or vascular complications. All patients had primary wound healing. Patients reported only minimal postoperative pain. Clinical followup was performed a median of 14 months postoperatively (range 6 to 32). Of the 16 patients 11 (69%) were completely dry and 1 (6%) reported improved continence, while 4 (25%) had no benefit, including 2 who underwent an artificial sphincter procedure. Preoperative mean daily pad use decreased from 7 (range 2 to 12) to 1 (range 0 to 10) postoperatively (p = 0.0004) and postoperative quality of life improved significantly (p <0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

Bulbourethral composite suspension is a new, efficient operative sling technique in patients with severe post-prostatectomy stress urinary continence. Because morbidity and complications are low, this new technique may become an alternative to artificial urinary sphincter implantation. Long-term observation of urethral and detrusor function is necessary to elucidate the specific contribution of bulbourethral composite suspension in restoring urinary continence after radical prostatectomy.

Externally Readjustable Sling for Treatment of Male Stress Urinary Incontinence: Points of Technique and Preliminary Results

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Slings have been successful in the treatment of male stress urinary incontinence (SUI). However, in many situations, the sling may have either an excess of or inadequate tension, producing voiding difficulties or urinary leakage, respectively. The effectiveness of a readjustable sling for the treatment of male SUI has been evaluated.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Between October 2001 and November 2002, six consecutive male patients with SUI, aged 69 to 81 years, received a readjustable sling (Remeex) at the Monforte Comarcal Hospital.

RESULTS

Five patients (83%) achieved continence, while the remaining patient showed important improvement. All patients were satisfied or very satisfied with the results. The average follow-up time was 18 months (range 12-50 months). There were no postoperative complications.

CONCLUSIONS

This original treatment allows readjustment of the sling tension in the immediate or mid-term postoperative period. Initial clinical results are encouraging.

Polypropilene sling of the bulbar urethra for post-radical prostatectomy incontinence

OBJECTIVE

We present details of a modification of the Stamey procedure using a polypropilene mesh to compress the corpus spongiosum of the bulbar urethra in the treatment of sphincteric incompetence following radical prostatectomy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Between September 1999 and June 2000 nine patients 66-80 years old (mean age 74) with severe incontinence due to radical prostatectomy underwent the bulbourethral sling procedure with polypropilene (Prolene) mesh implant. After transperineal incision a 5cmx4cm rectangular prolene mesh was placed against the bulbar urethra and suspended by four prolene sutures transferred to a suprapubic incision through ligature carriers as in the four corner bladder and bladder neck suspension. If leakage recurred in the follow-up, a retightening procedure was performed in local anesthesia rescuing the prolene threads over a polypropilene mesh placed against the rectus fascia. Mean follow-up was 14 months (range 12-20). Continence status and post-void residual volume were evaluated after 1, 3 and 6 months post-operatively and successively every 3 months.

RESULTS

At the present follow-up considering the results of the retightening procedure five out of nine patients were cured, two out of nine improved and two were unchanged. Five out of nine patients reported slight to mild perineal/genital discomfort which disappeared in four at three months post-operatively. No patients required mesh removal for complications.

CONCLUSIONS

The male bulbourethral sling procedure using a polypropilene mesh is safe but further experience is needed to establish this procedure as plausible alternative for the treatment of post-radical prostatectomy urinary incontinence.