Long-term efficacy of the bone-anchored male sling for moderate and severe stress urinary incontinence.

OBJECTIVE

To present a prospective long-term evaluation of the bone-anchored male sling (InVance™, American Medical Systems, Minnetonka, MN, USA) for patients with moderate to severe stress urinary incontinence (SUI) after prostate surgery

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Forty-five patients had a male sling implanted for SUI after prostate surgery. The evaluation before and after surgery included a complete history and physical examination, various questionnaires (American Urological Association Symptom Score, University of California Los Angeles/RAND prostate index), cysto-urethroscopy, International Continence Society (ICS) 1-h pad test and a urodynamic study. The follow-up assessments were at 2, 6 and 12 months after surgery, and yearly thereafter. The success rate was defined as the percentage of patients 'dry' and 'improved'.

RESULTS

The median (range) follow-up was 36 (2-64) months. Twelve patients (27%) had previous adjuvant radiotherapy. Eighteen patients (40%) had moderate SUI (two or three pads/day) and 27 (60%) had severe SUI (more than three pads/day). All preoperative ICS 1-h pad tests were positive. The success rate was 76%; 16 patients were dry (36%), 18 were improved (one or two pads/day, 40%) and in 11 the sling was a failure (24%); 76% of ICS 1-h pad tests were negative after surgery. The postoperative urodynamic study showed no signs of bladder outlet obstruction. In all, 72% of patients were satisfied/very satisfied with the surgery and 86% considered themselves cured/almost cured. The success rate was not affected by the presence of previous radiotherapy or the severity of SUI. Ten patients had perineal numbness, but in all it resolved within 1-3 months. There was one mesh infection which required its removal. There was no urethral erosion.

CONCLUSION

Compared to previous studies, the InVance male sling had a good success rate for moderate and severe SUI, with a median follow-up of 36 months. The results did not differ for moderate or severe SUI or with the presence of previous radiotherapy.