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D C Chaikin

Publications and source records attributed to D C Chaikin.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Use of cadaveric solvent-dehydrated fascia lata for cystocele repair--preliminary results.

OBJECTIVES: To present a surgical technique in which cadaveric fascia lata is used for cystocele repair. METHODS: Twenty-one consecutive women (mean age 67 +/- 10 years) with severe cystocele were prospectively enrolled. All patients underwent meticulous clinical and urodynamic preoperative evaluations. Solvent-dehydrated, Tutoplast-processed, cadaveric fascia lata was used for cystocele repair. The fascia was anchored transversally between the bilateral arcus tendineus and the cardinal and uterosacral ligaments. Standard endopelvic plication was performed thereafter as a second layer. Patients with overt or occult sphincteric incontinence underwent concomitant pubovaginal sling (PVS) surgery as well, using the same material. The main outcome measures included recurrent urogenital prolapse, persistent or de novo urinary incontinence (stress or urge), and dyspareunia. RESULTS: Of the 21 patients, 19 underwent concomitant PVS, 3 concomitant vaginal hysterectomy, and 8 posterior colporrhaphy in addition to their cystocele repair. The mean follow-up was 20.1 +/- 6.7 months (range 12 to 30). No postoperative complications related to the material or technique occurred. None of the patients developed a recurrent cystocele. Two patients (9%), one of whom underwent concomitant posterior colporrhaphy, developed mild recto-enterocele at 4 to 6 months postoperatively. Six patients underwent concomitant PVS for occult sphincteric incontinence. None developed postoperative stress incontinence. Thirteen other patients underwent concomitant PVS for overt sphincteric incontinence. All but two were stress-continent postoperatively. One half of the patients with preoperative urge or mixed incontinence had persistent urge incontinence postoperatively. None of the patients developed postoperative de novo urge incontinence or dyspareunia. CONCLUSIONS: The use of solvent-dehydrated cadaveric fascia lata for cystocele repair, as well as PVS, is associated with encouraging short and medium-term results. Long-term follow-up is needed to evaluate whether these results are durable.

Aged↗

Voiding dysfunction: definitions.

'Lower urinary tract symptoms' is a term that describes symptoms related to both the storage and emptying phases of the micturition cycle. Storage symptoms include urinary frequency urgency, urge incontinence, nocturia, dysuria and other kinds of pain emanating from the bladder or urethra. Emptying symptoms consist of hesitancy, straining to void, difficulty starting, diminished stream, a feeling of incomplete bladder emptying and urinary retention. In both sexes, the etiology of lower urinary tract symptoms is multifactorial, and symptoms are a poor indicator of underlying pathophysiology. In men, lower urinary tract symptoms are most often attributed to prostatic obstruction, but only approximately two-thirds of men with lower urinary tract symptoms meet the accepted diagnostic criteria for obstruction. Approximately half have detrusor overactivity and a smaller number have impaired detrusor contractility, sensory urgency, sphincteric incontinence, polyuria or nocturnal polyuria. In women, lower urinary tract symptoms are often considered to result from hormonal abnormalities, childbirth, aging, or previous surgery, but the multifactorial underlying pathophysiology is similar to that seen in men, except for a much lower incidence of urethral obstruction and a high incidence of sphincteric incontinence. Treatment typically begins with empiric, conservative therapies aimed at resolving detrusor instability or bladder outlet obstruction. However, although either or both of these etiologies may exist in the individual with lower urinary tract symptoms, treatment may fail as a result of another cause. We believe that treatment based on the pathophysiology of the symptoms will lead to better outcomes than treatment based on symptoms alone.

Humans↗

Pubovaginal sling surgery for simple stress urinary incontinence: analysis by an outcome score.

PURPOSE: We assessed the results of pubovaginal sling surgery in women with simple stress urinary incontinence using strict subjective and objective criteria. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Simple incontinence was defined as sphincteric incontinence with no concomitant urge incontinence, pipe stem or fixed scarred urethra, urethral or vesicovaginal fistula, urethral diverticulum, grade 3 or 4 cystocele, or neurogenic bladder. A total of 67 consecutive women with a mean age plus or minus standard deviation of 56 +/- 11 years who underwent pubovaginal sling surgery for simple sphincteric incontinence were prospectively followed for 12 to 60 months (mean 33.9 +/- 22.2). Treatment outcomes were classified according to a new outcome score. Cure was defined as no urinary loss due to urge or stress incontinence, as documented by 24-hour diary and pad test, with the patient considering herself cured. Failure was defined as poor objective results with the patient considering surgery to have failed. Cases that did not fulfill these cure-failure criteria were considered improved and further classified into a good, fair or poor response. RESULTS: Of the 67 patients 46 (69%) had type II and 21 (31%) had type III incontinence. Preoperative diary and pad tests revealed a mean of 5.9 +/- 3.6 stress incontinence episodes and a mean urinary loss of 91.8 +/- 81.9 gm. per 24 hours. There were no major intraoperative, perioperative or postoperative complications. Two patients (3%) had persistent minimal stress incontinence and 7 (10%) had new onset urge incontinence within 1 year after surgery. Overall using the strict criteria of our outcome score 67% of the cases were classified as cured and the remaining 33% were classified as improved. The degree of improvement was defined as a good, fair and poor response in 21%, 9% and 3% of patients, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Mid-term outcome results defined by strict subjective and objective criteria confirm that the pubovaginal sling is highly effective and safe surgery for simple sphincteric incontinence. A followup of more than 5 years is required to establish the long-term durability of this procedure.

Female↗

Videourodynamic studies in men with lower urinary tract symptoms: a comparison of community based versus referral urological practices.

PURPOSE: We compared the clinical and urodynamic characteristics of men referred for evaluation of lower urinary tract symptoms in community based versus referral urological practices and examined the various pathophysiological mechanisms of these symptoms. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed a multicenter urodynamics database of 963 consecutive men referred for the evaluation of persistent lower urinary tract symptoms at 2 community based and 1 urological referral center. Of the 963 patients in the database 422 (44%) were excluded from study due to neurological disorder in 41%, previous urinary or pelvic surgery in 27% and the use of medications known to affect voiding in 24%. A total of 541 patients with a mean age plus or minus standard deviation of 64.4 +/- 13.8 years met study inclusion criteria and were analyzed further. We compared the clinical and urodynamic characteristics of patients at the community and referral centers. RESULTS: Lower urinary tract symptoms were equally common in men presenting to community and referral centers. The most common symptom was difficult voiding, followed by frequency, urgency and nocturia in 58%, 54%, 43% and 40% of the study population, respectively. Urodynamic diagnoses were also similar in the 2 groups. Although bladder outlet obstruction was diagnosed in 69% of patients, it was the only urodynamic finding in a third of the patients with obstruction. The main concomitant urodynamic diagnoses were detrusor overactivity, bladder hyposensitivity, impaired detrusor contractility, low bladder compliance and bladder hypersensitivity in 47%, 10%, 10%, 9% and 3% of obstructed cases, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The pathophysiology of lower urinary tract symptoms in men is multifactorial, and similar at community practice and tertiary referral centers. The disparity in urodynamic findings and subjective symptoms emphasizes the need for a thorough and early clinical and urodynamic evaluation.

Adult↗

Bladder outlet obstruction in women: definition and characteristics.

The prevalence of bladder outlet obstruction in women is unknown and most probably has been underestimated. Moreover, there are no standard definitions for the diagnosis of bladder outlet obstruction in women. Our study was conducted to define as well as to examine the clinical and urodynamic characteristics of bladder outlet obstruction among women referred for evaluation of voiding symptoms. Bladder outlet obstruction was defined as a persistent, low, maximum "free" flow rate of <12 mL/s in repeated non-invasive uroflow studies, combined with high detrusor pressure at a maximum flow (p(det.Q)(max) >20 cm H(2)O) during detrusor pressure-uroflow studies. A urodynamic database of 587 consecutive women identified 38 (6.5%) women with bladder outlet obstruction. The mean age of the patients was 63.9 +/- 17.5 years. The mean maximum "free" flow, voided volume, and residual urinary volume were 9.4 +/-3.9 mL/s, 144. 9 +/- 72.7 mL, and 86.1 +/- 98.8 mL, respectively. The mean p(det. Q)(max) was 37.2 +/- 19.2 cm H(2)O. Previous anti-incontinence surgery and severe genital prolapse were the most common etiologies, accounting for half of the cases. Other, less common, etiologies included urethral stricture (13%), primary bladder neck obstruction (8%), learned voiding dysfunction (5%), and detrusor external sphincter dyssynergia (5%). Symptomatology was defined as mixed obstructive and irritative in 63% of the patients, isolated irritative in 29%, and isolated obstructive in other 8%. In conclusion, bladder outlet obstruction in women appears to be more common than was previously recognized, occurring in 6.5% of our patients. Micturition symptoms relevant to bladder outlet obstruction are non-specific, and a full urodynamic evaluation is essential in making the correct diagnosis and formulating a treatment plan.

Cystoscopy↗

Noninvasive outcome measures of urinary incontinence and lower urinary tract symptoms: a multicenter study of micturition diary and pad tests.

PURPOSE: We assessed the test-retest reliability of a 24, 48 and 72-hour micturition diary and pad test in patients referred for the evaluation of urinary incontinence and lower urinary tract symptoms. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We prospectively enrolled 109 patients referred for the evaluation of lower urinary tract symptoms in our multicenter study. Patients were requested to complete a 72-hour micturition diary and pad test, and repeat each test during a 1-week interval. The test-retest reliability of various parameters of the 72-hour micturition diary and pad test was analyzed and compared. Further analysis was done to compare the test-retest reliability of 24, 48 and 72-hour studies performed on the same days after a 1-week interval. Reliability was assessed by Lin's concordance correlation coefficient (CCC) with a cutoff value of 0.7 indicating test-retest reliability. RESULTS: Of the 109 patients 106 (97%) with a median age of 64 years completed the study. The number of pads and total weight gain appeared to be reliable measures of the 24, 48 and 72-hour pad tests. For the 24-hour diary the total number of incontinence episodes was a reliable measure, while the total number of voiding episodes was marginally reliable (mean CCC 0.785 and 0. 689, respectively). For the 48-hour diary the number of incontinence episodes and total number of voiding episodes were reliable measures (mean CCC 0.78 and 0.83, respectively), while for the 72-hour diary each parameter was highly reliable (CCC 0.86 and 0.826, respectively). However, an increased test period was associated with decreased patient compliance. CONCLUSIONS: The 24-hour pad test and micturition diary are reliable instruments for assessing the degree of urinary loss and number of incontinent episodes, respectively. Increasing test duration to 48 and 72 hours increases reliability but is associated with decreased patient compliance.

Adult↗

The significance of the American Urological Association symptom index score in the evaluation of women with bladder outlet obstruction.

PURPOSE: The American Urological Association (AUA) symptom index was originally designed to assess the severity of lower urinary tract symptoms in men with benign prostatic hyperplasia. Data concerning the clinical application of the AUA symptom index to women are sparse. We evaluated the significance of the AUA symptom index in women with urodynamically defined bladder outlet obstruction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From a urodynamic database of 587 consecutive women 38 (6.5%) were identified with bladder outlet obstruction, defined as a maximum flow rate of less than 12 ml. per second on repeat noninvasive uroflowmetry studies with a detrusor pressure at a maximum flow of greater than 20 cm. water on pressure flow study. All patients underwent a complete clinical and urodynamic evaluation, and completed the AUA symptom index questionnaire. Results in women with urodynamic obstruction were compared with those in 2 control groups, including women without obstruction but with sphincteric incontinence and asymptomatic healthy women. RESULTS: Mean symptom score was significantly higher in women with obstruction than in those with sphincteric incontinence or no symptoms (15.8+/-8.4 versus 10.3+/-6.4 and 2.1+/-2.7, respectively). Likewise, scores were classified as severe in 34% of women with obstruction compared with only 7% of those with sphincteric incontinence. However, no correlation was noted between symptom index scores and objective urodynamic parameters, which is similar to data already reported in male populations. CONCLUSIONS: The AUA symptom index score may be useful as a bothersomeness index in women with bladder outlet obstruction. However, subjective symptoms associated with bladder outlet obstruction are nonspecific and a complete urodynamic evaluation is essential for making the diagnosis.

Female↗

Predicting the need for anti-incontinence surgery in continent women undergoing repair of severe urogenital prolapse.

PURPOSE: We determined the indications for anti-incontinence surgery in continent women undergoing surgical repair of severe urogenital prolapse. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We prospectively evaluated 24 continent women referred for evaluation of severe urogenital prolapse. All patients underwent a meticulous clinical evaluation, including a complete history and physical examination, urinary questionnaire, voiding diary, pad test, cotton swab test, video urodynamics and cystoscopy. The urodynamic evaluation was repeated with prolapse repositioning by a fitted vaginal pessary. Surgical intervention was tailored according to urodynamic findings. RESULTS: Reduction of prolpase with a pessary unmasked sphincteric incontinence in 14 women (58%). Ten women with no urodynamic evidence of sphincteric incontinence underwent anterior colporrhaphy and no additional anti-incontinence procedure was performed. Mean followup was 44 months (range 12 to 96). None had postoperative stress incontinence but 1 (10%) had a recurrent grade 2 cystocele. The 14 remaining women with sphincteric incontinence after prolapse reduction underwent anterior colporrhaphy with a pubovaginal sling procedure. Mean followup in these cases was 47 months (range 12 to 108). In 2 patients (14%) stress incontinence developed postoperatively and 1 (7%) had a recurrent grade 3 cystocele. The incidence of urge incontinence did not appear to be significantly influenced by either surgical intervention. Overall 12 patients had preoperative urge incontinence, of whom 9 (75%) had persistent urge incontinence postoperatively. In another woman new onset urge incontinence developed. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative urodynamic evaluation with and without prolapse reduction is essential for making the correct diagnosis of masked stress incontinence in women with urogenital prolapse. The decision to perform a concomitant prophylactic anti-incontinence procedure should be tailored to individual urodynamic findings. Larger series and longer followup are needed to establish the most effective preventive procedure for this troublesome clinical problem.

Aged↗

The pathophysiology of post-radical prostatectomy incontinence: a clinical and video urodynamic study.

PURPOSE: We examine various mechanisms of post-radical prostatectomy incontinence. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 83 consecutive men (mean age 68 +/- 6.6 years) referred for evaluation of persistent post-radical prostatectomy incontinence were enrolled in the study. All patients underwent clinical and urodynamic evaluation. Final diagnosis was based on clinical judgment considering patient history, pad test, voiding diary, free (unintubated) uroflow measurements, video urodynamics and linear passive urethral resistance relation curves. We compared free uroflow and pressure flow obtained with a 7Fr urethral catheter in place, and empirically defined low urethral compliance as at least 10 ml. per second difference between these measurements. RESULTS: Sphincteric incontinence was the most common urodynamic finding, occurring in 73 patients (88%). Detrusor instability was identified in 28 patients (33.7%) and in 6 (7.2%) was the main cause of incontinence. In 2 other patients bladder outlet obstruction (1.2%) or impaired detrusor contractility (1.2%) was the only urodynamic finding. Impaired detrusor contractility was diagnosed by linear passive urethral resistance relation in 82% of cases but considered to be clinically relevant in only a third. In 25 cases (30.1%) low urethral compliance was noted, which we consider nearly synonymous with urethral scarring. CONCLUSIONS: Sphincteric incontinence is the most common urodynamic finding in patients with post-radical prostatectomy incontinence, although other findings may coexist. The most accurate diagnosis is attained when all objective measures are put in perspective with the clinical setting.

Aged↗

Outcome results of transurethral collagen injection for female stress incontinence: assessment by urinary incontinence score.

PURPOSE: We assessed the results of collagen injection for female sphincteric incontinence using strict subjective and objective criteria. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We evaluated 63 consecutive women with sphincteric incontinence who underwent a total of 131 transurethral collagen injections. Sphincteric incontinence was confirmed by urodynamics. All patients were treated with 1 to 5 transurethral collagen injections and treatment outcome was classified according to a new outcome score. Cure was defined as no urinary loss due to urge or stress incontinence documented by a 24-hour diary and pad test, and patient assessment that cure was achieved. Failure was defined as poor objective results and patient assessment that treatment failed. Cases that did not fulfill these cure and failure criteria were considered improved and further classified as a good, fair or poor response. RESULTS: Mean patient age plus or minus standard deviation was 67.7 +/- 12.8 years. All women had a long history of severe stress urinary incontinence, 18 (29%) underwent previous anti-incontinence surgery, and 41% had combined stress and urge incontinence. Preoperatively diary and pad tests revealed a mean of 7.5 +/- 4.6 incontinence episodes and 152 +/- 172 gm. of urine lost per 24 hours. Overall 1 to 5 injections were given in 26, 17, 13, 3 and 4 patients, respectively. Mean interval between injections was 4.4 +/- 5.7 months, mean followup was 12 +/- 9.6 months, and mean interval between the final injection and outcome assessment was 6.4 +/- 4.9 months. There was a statistically significant decrease in the total number of incontinence episodes per 24-hour voiding diary after each injection session. Although there was a clear trend toward decreased urinary loss per 24-hour pad test, statistical significance was not established. Using the strict criteria of our outcome score overall 13% of procedures were classified as cure, 10%, 17% and 42% as good, fair and poor, respectively, and 18% as failure. CONCLUSIONS: As defined by strict subjective and objective criteria, we noted a low short-term cure rate after collagen injection in women with severe sphincteric incontinence. It remains to be determined how patients with less severe incontinence would fare using our outcome assessment instruments.

Aged↗

Tissue strength analysis of autologous and cadaveric allografts for the pubovaginal sling.

The aim of this study was to compare the mechanical properties of autologous rectus fascia (ARF), two groups of commercially available cadaveric fascia lata commonly used in pubovaginal sling surgery [freeze-dried (FD) and solvent-dehydrated (SD)], and commercially available cadaveric dermal grafts (DG) evaluate differences in tissue strength and stiffness. We prospectively studied the maximum load to failure (MLF) and stiffness in 20 specimens of ARF, 20 specimens of FD, 20 specimens of SD, and 10 specimens of DG. Autologous fascia was obtained from patients undergoing pubovaginal sling operation utilizing rectus fascia. Cadaveric fascia was re-hydrated in saline. All specimens were then tailored into 1 x 1-cm samples and mounted onto the Instron tensiometer. Samples were loaded to failure at a 100% strain rate and force-elongation curves were generated. MLF was defined as the minimum force needed to tear the tissue. Stiffness was determined by the slope of the linear portion of the force/elongation curve between 5 and 15% strain. Statistical analysis was performed using Student's t-test. There is no statistical difference in both MLF and stiffness among ARF, SD, and DG. These data show that MLF and tissue stiffness of SD and DG are comparable to that of ARF. FD has a significantly lower MLF and is significantly less stiff than ARF, SD, and DG. The SD cadaveric fascia lata allograft and the cadaveric dermal allograft may be suitable alternatives to ARF for pubovaginal sling surgery. Neurourol. Urodynam. 18:497-503, 1999.

Biomechanical Phenomena↗

Evaluation of the etiology of nocturia in men: the nocturia and nocturnal bladder capacity indices.

To determine and quantify the cause of nocturia in men, we describe and evaluate the relative contribution of two complementary indices of nocturia: the nocturia index (Ni), a measure of nocturnal urine overproduction, and the nocturnal bladder capacity index (NBCi), reflective of nocturnal bladder capacity. The records of 100 consecutive men with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), having undergone video-urodynamic studies (VUDS), were prospectively studied. Evaluation included American Urological Association symptom score (AUASS), micturition diary (day, night, and 24-hr voided volume), and VUDS. Voiding diary analysis was carried out as previously described by us, determining the Ni, NBCi, and nocturnal polyuria index (NPi) (nocturnal urine volume/24-hr urine volume). In the case of AUASS question #7 (degree of nocturia), the odds of having a severe AUA question #7 response was found to be 4.09 times higher for patients with NBCi > 2.0 compared with patients whose NBCi was </= 2.0 using logistic regression analysis. In comparing patients with severe nocturia and low NBCi with those having mild nocturia and low NBCi, Ni performed in a fashion superior to NPi in identifying relative nocturnal urine overproduction as the suspected explanation for their nocturia (Ni = 3.42 vs. 1.42, P = 0.0002 cf. Npi = 0.44 vs. 0.27, P = 0.018, Mann-Whitney test, respectively). We suggest a discriminating threshold of NBCi > 2 as highly significant in defining diminished NBC as a factor in the etiology of nocturia. In addition, we propose Ni of 1.5 as a threshold greater than which nocturia may be attributed to nocturnal urine overproduction in excess of maximum bladder capacity. Together, these indices describe in quantitative fashion the relative contributions of nocturnal urine overproduction and diminished NBC in identifying the etiology of nocturia in male patients. Neurourol. Urodynam. 18:559-565, 1999.

Aged↗

Results of pubovaginal sling for stress incontinence: a prospective comparison of 4 instruments for outcome analysis.

PURPOSE: Presently to our knowledge there are no standardized techniques to assess outcomes after surgery for stress incontinence. We performed a prospective blinded study to assess the correlation among physician and patient assessments, and a validated 24-hour pad test and voiding diary. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 84 women were evaluated before and after pubovaginal sling for stress incontinence with a voiding diary, pad test and symptom questionnaire (patient assessment) administered by a blinded third party. The operating surgeon evaluated the patient using history, physical examination, pad test and voiding diary but was blinded to results of the outcome questionnaire. Preoperative focused neurourological examination and video urodynamics confirmed stress incontinence. Patients were assessed at least 1 year postoperatively. We compared patient assessment (cured, improved, failure) to the outcome of the pad test, voiding diary and physician assessment. The physician and questioner were blinded to each other. We considered patients with a pad test of 0 to 2 ml. as cured, 50% or more volume reduction as improved and less than 50% volume reduction as failure. Postoperative assessment did not differentiate between stress and urge incontinence. The kappa coefficient was used for statistical comparison. RESULTS: Average patient age was 58 years and average followup for the entire group was 4 years. Agreement among the 4 instruments to assess outcome was excellent (k >0.9) with respect to cured/improved versus failure but only good for cured versus improved versus failure (k >0.5). CONCLUSIONS: Outcomes following incontinence surgery may vary depending on how the analysis was performed, patient selection, definition of success and so forth. Our results indicate that a pad test and voiding diary are reliable and should be part of the normal followup after pubovaginal sling for sphincteric incontinence. When these tests are used in conjunction with defined parameters of success, there is excellent agreement with patient feelings in regard to success or failure of surgery. Nevertheless, these instruments and methods are imperfect at best.

Adult↗

The effect of genital prolapse on voiding.

PURPOSE: We determined whether genital prolapse causes obstruction that may be relieved by a vaginal pessary as well as the degree to which voiding difficulty, urethral hypermobility, bladder outlet obstruction, occult stress incontinence, detrusor instability and impaired detrusor contractility are associated with prolapse. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We prospectively evaluated 60 women with a mean age of 52 years who had genital prolapse, including 35 (58%) with grade 1 or 2 and 25 (42%) with grade 3 or 4 cystocele, using pressure-flow video urodynamics and cotton swab testing. Leak point pressure and uroflowmetry were repeated in patients with severe prolapse after insertion of a ring pessary. RESULTS: Urethral hypermobility (p<0.05) and symptoms of voiding difficulty (p<0.01) were more common in women with grade 3 or 4 cystocele. Urodynamics revealed bladder outlet obstruction in 2 patients (4%) with grade 1 or 2 cystocele and 18 (58%) with grade 3 or 4 cystocele (p<0.001). After vaginal pessary placement bladder outlet obstruction reverted to normal free flow in 17 women (94%) with grade 3 or 4 cystocele. Seven women (20%) with grade 1 or 2 cystocele versus 13 (52%) with grade 3 or 4 cystocele had detrusor instability (p<0.05). Impaired detrusor contractility was noted in each group (p>0.05). In patients with stress incontinence intrinsic sphincter deficiency did not correlate with the degree of prolapse and urethral hypermobility did not correlate with leak point pressure. CONCLUSIONS: Lower urinary tract symptoms are common in women with genital prolapse. Voiding difficulty, bladder outlet obstruction and occult stress incontinence may coexist and they are associated with prolapse. Detrusor instability and urethral hypermobility also correlate with the degree of prolapse but impaired detrusor contractility and intrinsic sphincter deficiency do not. In women with severe prolapse ring pessary reduction of prolapse during urodynamics is useful to determine symptomatic and occult conditions.

Female↗

Pubovaginal fascial sling for all types of stress urinary incontinence: long-term analysis.

PURPOSE: There is a lack of consensus regarding indications and long-term efficacy of the many surgical techniques for treating stress incontinence. Historically pubovaginal sling has been reserved for cases of intrinsic sphincter deficiency or prior surgical failure. Transvaginal needle and retropubic suspensions have been used mainly for sphincteric incontinence unassociated with intrinsic sphincter deficiency. We report the long-term results of pubovaginal sling for all types of stress incontinence. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 251 consecutive women with all types of stress incontinence who underwent pubovaginal fascial sling by a single surgeon were retrospectively and prospectively reviewed. Patients were evaluated preoperatively with history, physical examination, standardized symptom questionnaire, voiding diary, pad test, uroflow, post-void residual urine, video urodynamics and cystoscopy. Postoperatively women with at least 1-year followup were assessed by an independent third party (J. R.) who had no prior knowledge of them, and who recorded the parameters of the questionnaire, examination with a full bladder, voiding diary, pad test, uroflow and post-void residual urine. RESULTS: Overall stress incontinence was cured or improved in 92% of the patients with at least 1-year followup (median 3.1 years, range 1 to 15). The majority of patients with postoperative incontinence had de novo (3%) or persistent (23%) urge incontinence. Permanent urinary retention developed in 4 patients (2%). CONCLUSIONS: Fascial pubovaginal sling is an effective treatment for all types of stress incontinence with acceptable long-term efficacy.

Adult↗

Collagen injection therapy for post-radical retropubic prostatectomy incontinence: role of Valsalva leak point pressure.

PURPOSE: We retrospectively evaluated the role of Valsalva leak point pressure as a predictor of successful management of post-radical retropubic prostatectomy incontinence with collagen injection. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Urodynamic studies and Valsalva leak point pressures of 31 men who received retrograde collagen injection for post-radical retropubic prostatectomy incontinence were reviewed. Patients were interviewed before and after treatment to assess pad use and the American Urological Association quality of life index (scale 0 to 6). Parameters for success were postoperative quality of life score 3 or less or 50% or greater decrease in pad use and that the patient would recommend collagen therapy to someone else. RESULTS: Of 31 patients 11 (35%) met the criteria for success, 2 (6%) were completely dry and 9 (29%) were improved. Successfully treated patients had a mean Valsalva leak point pressure of 64.0 cm. water compared to 42.2 cm. water in the failure group (p <0.01). Of patients with Valsalva leak point pressure of 60 cm. water or greater, 70% responded favorably to collagen injection (positive predictive value), while 81% with Valsalva leak point pressure less than 60 cm. water had treatment failure (negative predictive value) (p <0.02). There were no other statistically significant differences between those successfully treated with collagen injection and those in whom treatment failed, including mean age (62.7 to 68.1 years), mean volume of collagen (26.1 to 28.9 ml.), mean number of treatment sessions (2.45 to 2.65), mean followup (14.9 to 15.1 months), preoperative quality of life score (5.1 to 4.9), and preoperative pads per day (4.0 to 3.37). CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that collagen injection improves 35% but cures a minority of patients (less than 10%) with post-radical retropubic prostatectomy incontinence. A pretreatment Valsalva leak point pressure of 60 cm. water or greater has high predictive value for a beneficial outcome after collagen injection. We propose a role for Valsalva leak point pressure to select men cost-effectively with post-radical retropubic prostatectomy incontinence for therapy with collagen injection.

Adult↗

Erectile dysfunction following minimally invasive treatments for prostate cancer.

OBJECTIVES: Cryosurgical ablation of the prostate (CSAP) and interstitial radiotherapy (IR) are relatively new procedures intended to be less invasive than radical prostatectomy for the treatment of prostate cancer. Despite absence of long-term or intermediate data of efficacy, many patients choose one of these therapies because they presume their potency will be maintained. We report our experience with CSAP, IR, and post-procedure erectile dysfunction. METHODS: Global sexual assessments were made in 12 months after therapy in 28 CSAP patients, and at 18 months in 37 IR patients. Each patient was contacted by telephone following his procedure. The patients were asked several questions regarding their sexual function both preoperatively and postoperatively. The questionnaire was administered only to the patient. RESULTS: Twenty-eight of 36 patients who underwent CSAP responded to the questionnaire (78%). Twenty patients were potent preoperatively (71%). The mean age of the potent group was 69 years (range 54 to 82). Following therapy, 2 of these patients (10%) reported potency at 12 months. Thirty-seven of 42 patients who underwent IR responded to the questionnaire (88%). Twenty-seven were potent preoperatively (73%). The mean age of the potent group was 70 years (range 56 to 83). The mean follow-up was 18 months (range 5 to 36). Following therapy, 15 patients reported potency (55%). All of the patients who reported potency felt that the quality of their erections had decreased following radiation. CONCLUSIONS: Our short-term results with IR and CSAP suggest a significant adverse effect on erectile function. Our results suggest that enhanced preservation of potency should not be used as an enticement in the promotion of IR or CSAP.

Aged↗