Endoscopic collagen injection therapy in elderly women with type I stress urinary incontinence.

PURPOSE

The safety and efficacy of collagen injection therapy for the treatment of type I stress urinary incontinence were determined.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 12 women 68 to 85 years old (mean age 76) with type I stress urinary incontinence underwent collagen injection. Incontinence was subjectively categorized as grades 0 to 3, and Valsalva leak point pressures were measured before and after injection.

RESULTS

At a mean of 10.3 months (range 3 to 24) 10 of the 12 women (83%) were cured, while the remaining 2 noticed subjective improvement in incontinence. Average number of injections per patient was 1.25 (1 injection in 9 and 2 in 3), average total collagen injected per patient was 2.2 cc (range 1.0 to 3.5) and average increase in Valsalva leak point pressure after collagen injection was 22 cm. water (range 0 to 40).

CONCLUSIONS

Collagen injection appears to be an effective alternative method for the treatment of type I stress urinary incontinence in elderly women.