In a nutshell
This study looked at the safety and effectiveness of a urethral bulking agent used to treat female stress urinary incontinence (SUI). The study concluded that it could be a safer alternative to surgery.
Some background
Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) is urine leakage when there is pressure on the bladder. It is often observed when a patient coughs, sneezes or exercises. SUI happens as a result of weak muscles around the bladder. These muscles hold urine in.
Urinary incontinence can be treated by pelvic floor exercises, drug therapy, pessaries (to support the walls of the bladder) or nerve stimulation. Surgery can also be an option when these treatments do not work. Surgery can carry risk of complications however.
Bullking agents may be an alternative to surgery in female SUI. Bulking agents are injected into the urethra (the tube which carries urine out of the body) to thicken it. The thickened urethra can then support the surrounding urinary muscles. Macroplastique is a type of bulking agent made up of a medication called polydimethylsiloxane.
Methods & findings
85 women with SUI were included in the study. These women had macroplastique injected. They were followed for 3 years after the injection. The women were assessed for incontinence severity, cure rate and side effects. Assessment happened at at 3 months, 1 year, 2 years and 3 years after treatment. SUI cure was tested by a stress test where the women were monitored for urine leaks. SUI cure was also assessed through a questionnaire.
At 3 months after macroplastique injection, 12 patients still had SUI. These patients had surgery to treat SUI. At 3 years after surgery, 47-49% of patients were cured. One patient reported pain after surgery. This pain was cured through medication.
The bottom line
This study concluded that macroplastique could be a suitable alternative to surgery for the treatment of female SUI.
The fine print
The authors note that the success of the bulking agent depended on the patient's history of pelvic surgery and the surgeon's skill.
What’s next?
If you are interested in learning more about bulking agents used to treat SUI, contact your doctor.
Published By :
BJU international
Date :
Sep 25, 2018
