In a nutshell
This study aimed to investigate the use of a surgical implant, in improving quality of life and side-effects of stress urinary incontinence after prostate cancer surgery. This study found that this implant led to significant improvements in quality of life in these patients.
Some background
Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) is the unintentional loss of urine due to stress put on the bladder. This stress can result from sneezing or exercising. This is a common side-effect of surgery to remove the prostate gland in patients with prostate cancer. SUI can lead to a decreased quality of life. This study examined the use of a bladder implant to improve SUI, called the ProACT Adjustable Continence Therapy. The long-term effects of this implant are unclear.
Methods & findings
98 patients who had a ProACT device implanted were included in this trial and completed 18 months of follow up. They were followed up using questionnaires examining their quality of life, urinary function or side-effects from the surgery.
This study found that patients using the implant retained more urine in their bladder. Pre-implant urine loss was 399 g, which was reduced to 160 g at 18 months. Patients also reported improvements in their quality of life. Urine retention (an inability to completely empty the bladder), was reported as a side-effect, but this was short-term and had resolved by the end of follow-up.
The bottom line
This study found that this implant led to significant improvements in quality of life in patients who have stress urinary incontinence after prostate removal surgery.
What’s next?
Consult with your doctor If you have any concerns regarding involuntary loss of urine.
Published By :
Neurourology and urodynamics
Date :
Sep 03, 2018
