[Towards early functional treatment of urinary incontinence after prostatectomy (author's transl)].

The authors report their striking experience of the effectiveness of early functional treatment of urinary incontinence after prostatectomy. This experience is based upon 50 cases collected over a period of 10 years. Treatment is based upon stimulation of the perineal musculature by faradic current, ano-perineal exercises, and mictional rehabilitation. Results, in 50 cases, showed a marked improvement in 43 (86%), including 15 complete cures (30%). Such a favourable result was obtained with six weeks' treatment. It would appear that the result is all the better when treatment is started earlier, whether in a case of arrhythmic incontinence dominated by urgency, or isolated nocturnal incontinence. The results, once acquired, generally persist. A relapse of incontinence often responds adequately to a new series of sessions of functional treatment. It would appear that the mode of action of this functional therapy is based upon a decrease in bladder instability, and an increase in urethra resistance. The authors show that, with their treatment, improvements and cures in urinary incontinence after prostatectomy occur much earlier with the aid of functional treatment than spontaneously. Thus, treatment is worthwhile undertaking.