Evaluating the AdVance XP male sling for male stress urinary incontinence

This study aimed to investigate the use of the AdVance XP male sling for urinary incontinence and in men after prostate cancer treatment. This study found that this procedure is promising for these patients.

Sling surgery is the most common surgery to treat stress urinary incontinence (SUI). SUI means that certain actions such as coughing or lifting put pressure on the bladder and cause urine to leak. This surgery involves a 'sling' being made from mesh. Then they put it under the tube that urine passes through, called the urethra. The sling is like a hammock that lifts and supports the urethra and the neck of the bladder to help prevent leaks. 

The long-term safety and effectiveness of this sling are still unknown.

This study included 115 men with urinary symptoms. All men had prostate surgery previously. Pads were used to evaluate how effective the surgery was. Success was defined as no wet pads. Patients were followed up for an average of 4.2 years. 

Urine loss in the 24-hour pad test after surgery was 272 g (min. 42-max. 1600). This was improved at all follow-ups to 24.4 g. After a follow-up of 48 months, 71.7% of the patients were cured. 15.0% of patients had an improved continence situation. 13.3% were classified as failed.

There were no severe complications during or after surgery.

This study found that placement of the AdVance XP male sling is promising for men with urinary incontinence after prostate surgery. 

This study had no control group to compare with other treatments for SUI. Also, not all patients completed the 4.2 years of follow-up. This might have affected the results. Further studies are needed.