How effective are pressured balloons for urinary incontinence?

This study looked at changing the pressure in urinary balloon implants to ease bladder symptoms after bladder surgery. It concluded that changing the pressure in the balloon could help these symptoms.

Stress incontinence (urine leakage when you cough, sneeze, exercise or laugh) can have a very negative impact on quality of life. While patients can be treated with medication or behavioral therapies, these may not remain effective over time. More invasive treatments may be needed.

Surgery is an option for stress incontinence. This surgery can involve implanting a device which will keep the urethra (the tube allowing urine out of the body) closed until you are ready to urinate. This implant is able to keep the urethra closed by using pressure. An implanted balloon generates this pressure. However, this balloon can lose pressure over time. In these cases, patients can undergo surgery to change the balloon pressure. 

22 patients were assessed at the beginning of the study (before surgery) and 6 months after surgery. These patients experienced stress incontinence caused by prostate cancer treatment. This treatment was removal of all or part of the prostate, radiation therapy or both. The pressure in their implanted balloons was increased. They were assessed for the number of incontinence pads they used per day, how bad the bladder symptoms were, and their quality of life. The rate of device wear-and-tear and whether it was removed or not was also assessed. 

After the surgery, quality of life and bladder symptoms had improved. The number of pads used per day had decreased from approximately 4 to 1. 3 of the patients in the study. (14%) experienced device wear-and-tear to the balloon. These patients previously had radiation therapy. Devices were removed in 45% of the patients. At 12 and 24 months after surgery, 41% of the patients still had their devices. 

This study concluded that increasing the pressure in the urinary balloon would ease bladder symptoms in patients who have stress incontinence. 

This study was carried out in men who had previously had prostate cancer treatment. It also found that those who had had radiation therapy were more likely to have their devices worn down over time. The authors also note that the follow up periods were different between patients. 

If you are interested in learning more about increasing the pressure in urinary balloons, talk to your doctor.