Study of generic quality of life in patients operated on for post-prostatectomy incontinence

AdVance™ male sling for stress urinary incontinence: Long-term follow-up and patient satisfaction

Objectives

To evaluate long-term effects, complications and satisfaction among patients treated with AdVance™ and AdVance™ XP slings (AS) at a Norwegian specialist care hospital.

Materials and Methods

Patients who had an AS implanted due to stress urinary incontinence (SUI) 2009-2016 were identified retrospectively. Demographic and perioperative data were extracted from electronic patient files. We did a patient-reported outcome measure (PROM) survey with the Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite (EPIC-26) urinary domain and a Satisfaction Questionnaire (SQ) 2018-2020. Cure was defined as use of ≤1 pad/day.

Results

The AS was implanted in 165 patients, mainly due to mild to moderate SUI (median leakage 112 g, range 13-589 g/24 h). Preoperative urodynamics showed mild detrusor overactivity (DO) in 11 patients. At 6-week follow-up, 148 patients (90%) were cured. The most common complication was urinary retention (N = 38), transient in 32 patients (range 1-42 days). Two patients were later operated with division of the sling due to persistent retention. During clinical follow-up of up to 12 years, 27 patients were reoperated due to persistent/recurrent incontinence. The PROM survey was sent to 125 patients and 115 (92%) replied at median 73 (20-134) months postoperatively. Ninety-one (79%) used ≤1 pads/day, 97 (85%) were satisfied, one patient-reported pain. Regression analyses showed that failure (>1 pad/day) was significantly associated with a higher amount of leakage preoperatively and at the 6-week follow-up. Total cure rate in the complete cohort was 64% at median 73 (20-134) months follow-up.

Conclusions

The AS shows good and persistent long-term results in patients with mild to moderate SUI. The only identified risk factor for long-term failure was higher amount of leakage preoperatively. The incidence of high body mass index (BMI), DO and previous radiotherapy was low and not significantly associated with failure but is still considered risk factors.

Effect of endoscopic urethral procedures applied after robotic radical prostatectomy on urinary incontinence: A prospective cohort pilot study

OBJECTIVES

The most common complications after radical prostatectomy (RP) are erectile dysfunction (ED) and urinary incontinence (UI). After RP, patients may require endoscopic urethral procedures (EUP) for other urological diseases such as hematuria, urinary system stone disease, and suspicion of bladder tumor. In clinical practice we observed that EUP performed after robot assisted RP (RARP) can cause an increase in the UI level. In this study, we investigated whether there is a change in the UI level in patients that underwent EUP after RARP and whether this change was affected by the duration of the procedure and type of endoscopic device used.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Twenty-six patients were included who underwent EUP after RARP in this study. The patients were divided into three groups based on the endoscopic device used: group 1 rigid cystoscopy (n = 9), group 2 flexible cystoscopy (n = 7), and group 3 semi-rigid ureterorenoscopy (URS) (n = 10). The Turkish version of the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Urinary Incontinence Short Form (ICIQ-SF) and the number of pads used daily was questioned before the EUP and 1 month after the procedure.

RESULTS

While a significant increase in ICIQ-SF score was observed in group 1 (p = 0.027), no significant increase was observed in group 2 and group 3 (p > 0.05). No significant difference was observed between the number of pads used preoperatively and the postoperative first month in all groups (p > 0.05). There was no significant correlation between increased operation time and both the pad usage and ICIQ-SF score (p > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The use of small diameter endoscopic instruments and flexible instruments is important for patient comfort and to avoid damage to urethrovesical anastomosis in patients who need to undergo EUP after RP.

Longitudinal changes in patient-reported outcomes after artificial urinary sphincter implantation

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the time course of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) after artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) implantation based on individual longitudinal changes of patient-reported outcomes.

METHODS

This retrospective study included 66 male patients with severe urinary incontinence who were treated with primary AUS implantation between 2009 and 2019. International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Short Form (ICIQ-SF) and International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) questionnaires were used to evaluate continence status and LUTS preoperatively, 1, 3, and 12 months after activation, and then annually. The annual changes in scores were calculated with a linear mixed model.

RESULTS

Of the 66 patients, 63 (95%) achieved complete or social continence (number of pads used ≤1/d) at 1 month after activation. Mean preoperative ICIQ-SF, IPSS, and IPSS-quality of life (QOL) score were 18.9, 14.9, and 5.4, respectively; the corresponding scores at 1 month after activation were 4.5, 9.0, and 1.7 (all P < .001), respectively. During the mean follow-up period of 36 months, the annual changes in the scores from 1 month after activation were 0.51 (P = .002), -0.30 (P = .184), and 0.19 (P < .001), respectively. As for individual IPSS items, while incomplete emptying, frequency, urgency, and weak stream improved significantly 1 month after activation, no significant changes from 1 month after activation were observed except for longitudinal deterioration of incomplete emptying score (0.08/y, P = .029).

CONCLUSION

Continence status and QOL score markedly improved by AUS implantation immediately, but deteriorated over time. Improved LUTS were maintained without a worsening trend, however.

A national study of artificial urinary sphincter and male sling implantation after radical prostatectomy in England

OBJECTIVES

To consider the provision of post-radical prostatectomy (RP) continence surgery in England.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Patients with an Office of Population Census and Surveys Classification of Interventions and Procedures, version 4 code for an artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) or male sling between 1 January 2010 and 31 March 2018 were searched for within the Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) dataset. Those without previous RP were excluded. Multivariable logistic regressions for repeat AUS and sling procedures were built in stata. Further descriptive analysis of provision of procedures was performed.

RESULTS

A total of 1414 patients had received index AUS, 10.3% of whom had undergone prior radiotherapy; their median follow-up was 3.55 years. The sling cohort contained 816 patients; 6.7% of these had received prior radiotherapy and the median follow-up was 3.23 years. Whilst the number of AUS devices implanted had increased each year, male slings peaked in 2014/2015. AUS redo/removal was performed in 11.2% of patients. Patients in low-volume centres were more likely to require redo/removal (odds ratio [OR] 2.23 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.02-4.86; P = 0.045). A total of 12.0% patients with a sling progressed to AUS implantation and 1.3% had a second sling. Patients with previous radiotherapy were more likely to require a second operation (OR 2.03 95% CI 1.01-4.06; P = 0.046). Emergency re-admissions within 30 days of index operation were 3.9% and 3.6% fewer in high-volume centres, for AUS and slings respectively. The median time to initial continence surgery from RP was 2.8 years. Increased time from RP conferred no reduced risk of redo surgery for either procedure.

CONCLUSION

There is a volume effect for outcomes of AUS procedures, suggesting that they should only be performed in high-volume centres. Given the known impact of incontinence on quality of life, patients should be referred sooner for post-prostatectomy continence surgery.

Mood outcomes of a behavioral treatment for urinary incontinence in prostate cancer survivors

PURPOSE

This study aimed to assess whether prostate cancer survivors who received a behavioral intervention to urinary incontinence had experienced a significant mood improvement.

METHODS

One hundred fifty-three prostate cancer survivors with persistent incontinence were included in this secondary data analysis. They were randomly assigned to usual care or interventions that provided pelvic floor muscle exercises and self-management skills. All subjects had measures of anxiety, depression, and anger at baseline, 3 months (post-intervention), and 6 months (follow-up). Negative binomial regression analysis was performed to examine the group status, daily leakage frequency at 3 months, and their interactions at 3 months as predictors for mood outcomes at 6 months, controlling for demographic and medical variables.

RESULTS

The main effect of daily leakage frequency at 3 months significantly predicted anxiety at 6 months (p < .01). The group main effect on any mood outcomes at 6 months was not statistically significant. The interaction between the group and 3-month leakage had a significant effect on anxiety; intervention subjects achieving a significant leakage reduction at 3 months exhibited significantly less anxiety at 6 months than other subjects (p = .04). Age, employment status, and receiving surgery at baseline were significantly associated with less anxiety, depression, and anger at 6 months.

CONCLUSIONS

Reduced urinary incontinence significantly predicted less anxiety, especially among the intervention subjects. The findings suggest a significant association between a behavioral therapy of urinary incontinence and anxiety reduction in prostate cancer survivors.

Outcomes and Quality of Life Among Men After Anal Sphincter-Sparing Transperineal Rectourethral Fistula Repair

OBJECTIVE

To describe long-term quality of life (QOL) outcomes after rectourethral fistula (RUF) repair. RUF is a debilitating diagnosis and complex surgical dilemma with limited data regarding QOL after repair.

METHODS

Patients at a tertiary referral center undergoing transperineal RUF repair 1/2009-5/2016 were analyzed. Patients were contacted by telephone to assess QOL following repair. Descriptive analysis performed of short-term surgical data (success and complications) and long-term QOL data (novel questionnaire).

RESULTS

Twenty one men underwent RUF surgery with 95% success after initial repair. Fifty two percent had a history of radiation and/or ablation. Four individuals (19%) experienced a Clavien-Dindo complication within 30 days, with 3 of those being grade III+. Fifteen had postoperative urinary incontinence, of whom 73% underwent artificial urinary sphincter placement. Three previously radiated individuals underwent subsequent urethral stricture surgery. At long-term follow-up (mean 45.6 ± 27.1 months), 53% reported perineal pain, 43% reported problems related to the gracilis flap, and 80% reported urinary incontinence (primarily occasional mild leakage). Twenty one percent were unable to do the things they wanted in their daily lives, while 80% reported that surgery positively impacted their life. None would have opted for complete urinary diversion.

CONCLUSION

RUF repair leads to patient satisfaction and improved QOL, despite possible residual issues such as perineal pain and urinary incontinence. Definitive RUF repair should be offered to suitable radiated and nonradiated patients.

Impact of preoperative and postoperative membranous urethral length measured by 3 Tesla magnetic resonance imaging on urinary continence recovery after robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy

INTRODUCTION

We sought to investigate the impact of preoperative and postoperative membranous urethral length (MUL) on urinary continence using 3 Tesla (3T) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) after robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP).

METHODS

Between 2008 and 2013, 190 men with RARP underwent preoperative and postoperative MRI. Patients who received adjuvant radiotherapy or who were lost to followup were excluded, leaving 186 patients eligible for analysis. Preoperative MUL was estimated from the prostate apex to the penile bulb, while postoperative MUL was estimated from the bladder neck to penile bulb. Patients with no pads or protection were considered to have complete continence. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify predictors associated with urinary incontinence at six and 12 months.

RESULTS

Age was commonly associated with urinary incontinence at six and 12 months. In addition, diabetes mellitus (DM) was another factor associated with urinary incontinence at 12 months. When adjusting these variables, preoperative MUL ≤16 mm (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.01-1.14; p=0.022), postoperative MUL ≤14 mm (95% CI 1.16-9.80; p=0.025) and percent change of MUL >18% (95% CI 1.17-7.23; p=0.021) were significantly associated with urinary incontinence at six months. However, at 12 months, preoperative MUL ≤13.5 mm (95% CI 1.85-19.21; p=0.003) and postoperative MUL ≤13 mm (95% CI 1.24-13.84; p=0.021) had impacts on urinary incontinence, but not percent change of MUL.

CONCLUSIONS

Preoperative and postoperative MUL were significantly associated with urinary continence recovery after RARP. Therefore, efforts to preserve MUL are highly recommended during surgery for optimal continence outcomes after RARP.

The use of sling vs sphincter in post-prostatectomy urinary incontinence

The artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) is considered the 'gold standard' in post-prostatectomy urinary incontinence. However, in recent years, male slings have gained much popularity due to the ease of surgery, good functional results and low complications rates. This review systematically shows the evidence for the different sling systems, describes the working mechanism, and compares their efficacy against that of the AUS. Furthermore subgroups of patients are defined who are not suited to undergo sling surgery.