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Biomedical subjects

S Madjar

Publications and source records attributed to S Madjar.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Collaboration and practice patterns among urologists and gynecologists in the treatment of urinary incontinence and pelvic floor prolapse: a survey of the International Continence Society members.

Both urologists and gynecologists are involved in the care of women with urinary incontinence (UI) and pelvic floor prolapse (PFP). This study was designed to examine the differences among urologists and gynecologists who treat UI and PFP, and to characterize the collaboration between them. A 14-question survey was mailed to the International Continence Society (ICS) members who are urologists or gynecologists. Questions dealt with professional training, type of practice, volume of UI and PFP procedures, preferred procedures for various types of UI and PFP, and the type and extent of collaboration. Of the 666 urologists and gynecologists to whom the questionnaire was sent, 229 responded (34.4% response rate). Among them, 63.7% were urologists and 36.2% were gynecologists. Collaboration in the operating room was reported by 140 responders (50.7%) and was significantly correlated with the specialty, and with the country of practice, with P values of 0.004, and 0.004, respectively. Collaboration in the operating room was reported mainly in procedures for the correction of vaginal vault prolapse or enterocele, and hysterectomy. It was not statistically correlated with the time dedicated to UI and PFP, the volume of surgeries performed, UI and PFP fellowship training, university hospital affiliation, and years in practice. Reasons for not collaborating in the operating room included familiarity with all or most of the anti-incontinence and pelvic floor reconstruction procedures (44.5%), unavailability of the other professional (6.1%), and reimbursement problems (3.1%). While urologists and gynecologists do collaborate extensively in clinical research and diagnosis of challenging cases, surgical collaboration is limited to procedures traditionally performed by gynecologists. Future training programs exposing trainees to both fields of expertise may enable better ground for collaboration and improved care for women with UI and PFP.

Cooperative Behavior↗

Postirradiation vesicovaginal fistula completely resolved with conservative treatment.

Postirradiation vesicovaginal fistulae (VVF) pose a great challenge for the urologist. The poorly vascularized radiated tissue surrounding the fistula impairs healing and makes operative repair technically demanding. Conservative treatment for postirradiation VVF is considered inappropriate, and to our knowledge has never previously been described. We present a case of a woman with postirradiation VVF that was resolved after transurethral coagulation and 3 weeks of catheterization.

Brachytherapy↗

Interposition flaps in transabdominal vesicovaginal fistula repairs: are they really necessary?

Objectives. To evaluate the use of interposition flaps in repairing vesicovaginal fistulas (VVFs) of benign and malignant etiologies. Interposition flaps are not routinely used in the repair of VVFs when the surrounding tissues appear healthy and well-vascularized, such as in a benign etiology.Methods. We retrospectively reviewed the charts of 37 women (mean age 49.1 years) at our institution who underwent transabdominal repair of their VVF by urologic surgeons between August 1978 and June 1999. The preoperative and postoperative medical records were reviewed.Results. Of the 37 VVFs repaired transabdominally, 29 had a benign etiology (25 related to gynecologic procedures) and 8 a malignant etiology (all related to gynecologic neoplasia). Of the 29 benign VVFs, an interposition flap was used in 10 repairs with all 10 successful (100%). The remaining 19 benign VVF repairs were performed without using a flap, with 12 successful (63%). Of the 8 malignant fistulas, an interposition flap was used in 2 repairs with both successful (100%). The remaining 6 malignant VVF repairs were performed without a flap, with 4 successful (67%).Conclusions. The results of our study indicate a higher success rate for transabdominal VVF repairs performed with an interposition flap (100% success rate at our institution). This observation holds true regardless of the appearance of healthy surrounding tissue or, more importantly, a benign or malignant etiology. We recommend interposition flaps in transabdominal repairs of VVFs, even in the cases of benign fistulas with well-preserved surrounding tissue.

Female↗

Bone anchored sling for the treatment of post-prostatectomy incontinence.

PURPOSE: This ongoing study evaluates the safety and efficacy of a new minimally invasive sling procedure for treating post-prostatectomy incontinence. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 16 men 56 to 74 years old (mean age 67) underwent the procedure using the Straight-In bone anchoring system. Time after prostatectomy was 1.5 to 5 years (mean 2.5). Of the 16 patients 14 had urodynamically confirmed stress urinary incontinence, while 2 had mixed incontinence with stress incontinence and detrusor instability. The procedure is performed with the patient in the lithotomy position using a perineal approach. Four miniature bone screws with pre-attached pairs of No. 1 polypropylene sutures are placed directly into the medial aspect of the inferior rami of the pubic bone. A pair of bone anchors is placed just below the symphysis on each side, and the second pair is inserted 3 to 4 cm. lower. To support the bulbar urethra a gelatin coated polyethylene terephthalate trapezoid shaped sling or cadaveric fascia lata is tied to the pubic bone using the 4 pairs of sutures attached to the bone anchors. Urethral resistance is increased to 30 to 50 cm. water above baseline pressure. RESULTS: Followup was 4 to 20 months (mean 12.2). Of the 14 men with the preoperative urodynamic diagnosis of genuine stress incontinence 12 were cured of incontinence, defined as subjectively dry with no or only 1 pad used daily for security without any episode of leakage, while 2 were improved subjectively with a decrease of 50% or more in pads daily. Two other patients with the preoperative diagnosis of mixed urinary incontinence were improved. Postoperatively urodynamic study in these patients revealed resolved stress incontinence but persistent urge urinary incontinence. They responded to anticholinergics and are completely dry. Intraoperative and postoperative complications were minimal with no erosion, infection or osseous complications. CONCLUSIONS: This new minimally invasive male sling procedure is safe and efficacious. Adjusting sling tension by measuring urethral resistance results in a low rate of over correction and failure. Further experience is needed to establish this procedure as treatment for post-prostatectomy incontinence.

Aged↗

Bone anchor infections in female pelvic reconstructive procedures: a literature review of series and case reports.

PURPOSE: We determined the reported prevalence of infectious osseous complications due to the use of bone anchors for suture fixation in female pelvic reconstructive procedures. In addition, the type and method of bone anchors as well as the reported pathogens associated with osseous infections were reviewed. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Primary reported series of female pelvic reconstructive procedures involving bone anchor suture fixation referenced in Index Medicus from January 1990 to July 2000 were extracted using the MEDLINE bibliographic database on English language articles involving humans. All case reports of infectious osseous complications due to bone anchor use in female reconstructive procedures were also reviewed during this period. RESULTS: Since the inception of bone anchor suture fixation for female pelvic reconstructive procedures 10 years ago, the overall prevalence of related infectious complications has been 6 cases in 1,018 procedures (0.6%). This type of adverse event developed between followup weeks 1 and 24. The prevalence of suprapubic bone anchors has been 6 cases in 698 procedures (0.86%). For transvaginal bone anchor procedures no infectious cases have been reported in the combined series of 314 procedures and the same is true for 1 reported case of sacral bone anchor placement in 6 procedures. No statistical difference was noted in regard to the prevalence of infection in procedures involving suprapubic bone anchors and transvaginal bone anchor combined with sacral bone anchor placement (Fisher's exact test p = 0.19). The organisms reported in case reports suggest a coliform, skin or hematogenous source for contamination of the bone anchor site. CONCLUSIONS: An infectious bone anchor complication in female pelvic reconstructive procedures is an uncommon event with a reported prevalence of 0.6%. Currently there is no evidence of differences in the prevalence of osseous complications after transvaginal versus suprapubic bone anchor fixation. Preoperative broad-spectrum antibiotics are recommended to decrease the potential of infectious bone anchor complications.

Bone Diseases, Infectious↗

[Acute urinary retention secondary to clear cell adenocarcinoma of the urethra].

The authors report a case of primary clear cell cancer of the urethra in a woman presenting with acute urinary retention. The diagnosis was based on cystoscopy and confirmed by histological examination of urethral biopsies. Treatment consisted of urethrocystectomy with creation of an "Indiana pouch". The pathological stage was T3N2M0 [1]. Three months postoperatively, the patient presented with inguinal lymph node metastases. She was treated with 3 courses of chemotherapy (mitomycin and 5-fluorouracil) combined with radiotherapy. With a follow-up of 10 months, the patient is still alive and inguinal lymph nodes have regressed. This case report emphasizes the rarity of this histological type and describes the management of urinary retention in a woman when an underlying specific disease is suspected.

Acute Disease↗

Prognostic score for patients with localized renal cell carcinoma treated by nephrectomy.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the feasibility of using combined clinical and histomorphometric features to construct a prognostic score for the individual patient with localized renal cell carcinoma. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We studied 39 patients with pT1 and pT2 RCC who underwent radical nephrectomy between 1974 and 1983. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to determine the association between various prognostic features and patient survival. RESULTS: The most important and independent predictors of survival were tumor angiogenesis (P = 0.009), nuclear DNA ploidy (P = 0.0071), mean nuclear area (P = 0.013), and mean elongation factor (P = 0.0346). Combination of these variables enabled prediction of outcome for the individual patient at a sensitivity and specificity of 78% and 89%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that no single parameter can accurately predict the outcome for patients with localized RCC. Combination of neovascularity, DNA content and morphometric shape descriptors enabled a more precise stratification of the patients into different risk categories.

Adult↗

Tension-free vaginal tape and percutaneous vaginal tape sling procedures.

PURPOSE: Midurethral synthetic sling procedures for treatment of stress urinary incontinence (SUI) are gaining increased attention from surgeons specializing in female pelvic reconstructive techniques seeking successful patient outcomes through reproducible simplicity. This report describes the procedural steps and methods used to maximize the potential for successful outcomes using techniques of midurethral synthetic sling placement. Reported complications and surgical outcomes are reviewed with respect to patient selection and minimizing the potential for morbidity and mortality as long-term clinical experience is accumulated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Tension-free vaginal or transvaginal tape (TVT) and the recently introduced percutaneous vaginal tape (PVT) are two new procedural choices for placement of synthetic sling material at the midurethra. Both procedures use sling material composed of polypropylene mesh, a nonabsorbable synthetic material, placed at the level of the midurethra via an antegrade (PVT, using a percutaneous ligature carrier) suprapubic approach or retrograde (TVT, using vaginal trocars) vaginal approach. Patient selection, procedural techniques, and methods described are based on observations obtained or reported from clinical experience. Outcomes and complications for TVT are derived from a literature review of all published articles in Index Medicus from 1996 to 2000. RESULTS: The experience with TVT for the last 5 years is encouraging. At 3-year follow-up for TVT, reported cure rates for SUI range from 80% to 95%. A multitude of worldwide reports on PVT with shorter follow-up support the findings of the TVT experience. Reproducible findings with midurethral synthetic slings are the short operative times recorded for the sling procedure, ease of technical performance, minimal patient discomfort, and a high rate of early return of normal voiding function. The rate of complications such as obstructive voiding or de novo instability (0-15%) and urinary retention necessitating a secondary procedure (2-4%) appear to be equal to the rates of contemporary competing technologies and procedures for treatment of SUI. CONCLUSIONS: Preliminary reports and the experience at our institution suggest that the techniques of midurethral synthetic sling placement of TVT and PVT are reproducible, easy to master, and minimally invasive with respect to tissue handling. Although complications with all anti-incontinence procedures exist, understanding the anatomical considerations and methodology of these unique procedures should minimize patient morbidity, avoid patient mortality, and produce a high rate of durable success.

Female↗

Fixed and dynamic urethral compression for the treatment of post-prostatectomy urinary incontinence: is history repeating itself?

PURPOSE: We reviewed the evolution of appliances and devices used for treating post-prostatectomy urinary incontinence. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We used the MEDLINE to search the literature from 1966 to March 2000 and then manually searched bibliographies to identify studies that our initial search may have missed. RESULTS: The evolution of treatment for post-prostatectomy urinary incontinence may be traced back to the 18th century. Two main schools of thoughts simultaneously evolved. The first fixed urethral compression devices were constructed to enable urethral obstruction by fixed resistance. This outlet resistance allows voiding after intra-abdominal and intravesical pressure is elevated but it is sufficient to prevent leakage between urinations. The other school of thought preferred creation of dynamic urethral compression in which outlet resistance is not fixed but may be decreased when voiding is desired or elevated between urinations. Therapeutic fixed and dynamic urethral compression interventions may be further divided into external or internal compressive devices or procedures. External fixed compression devices may be traced back to antiquity. A penile clamp, similar to the later Cunningham clamp, and a truss designed to compress the urethra by external perineal compression were presented in the Heister textbook of surgery, Institutiones Chirurgicae, as early as 1750. Dynamic compressive devices applied externally were developed much later, such as the first artificial urinary sphincter, described by Foley, in 1947 and the Vincent apparatus, described in 1960. The modern era of fixed urethral compression began in 1961 with Berry. Acrylic prostheses impregnated with bismuth to allow radiographic visualization were produced in various shapes and sizes, and used to compress the urethra against the urogenital diaphragm. In 1968 the University of California-Los Angeles group under the direction of Kaufman began to use cavernous crural crossover to compress the bulbous urethra (Kaufman I). Later 2 other modifications were described, including approximation of the crura in the midline using a polytetrafluoroethylene mesh tape (Kaufman II) and an implantable silicone gel prosthesis (Kaufman III). With the advent of the artificial urinary sphincter pioneered by Scott in 1973 interest in passive urethral compression disappeared in favor of the implantation of an inflatable circumferential prosthetic sphincter. Recently there has been a trend back to passive urethral compression. Synthetic bolsters have been described that passively compress the bulbar urethra to achieve urinary incontinence after radical prostatectomy. CONCLUSIONS: Much creativity has been dedicated to solve the complex and challenging problem of post-prostatectomy urinary incontinence. Devices used for treating this condition may be grouped according to the mechanism of action and how they are applied. Passive urethral compression, long abandoned in favor of dynamic implantable sphincters, has reemerged. Further research in this field may determine which school of thought may provide the best solution for treating post-prostatectomy urinary incontinence.

History, 18th Century↗

Artificial urinary sphincter for post-radical prostatectomy urinary incontinence: long-term subjective results.

PURPOSE: Incontinence affects between 3% and 60% of patients after radical prostatectomy. Insertion of an artificial urinary sphincter is a mainstay therapeutic option available to these patients. We assessed patient satisfaction, outcome and complications long after artificial urinary sphincter implantation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From a data bank of 131 patients who underwent artificial urinary sphincter prosthesis insertion we identified 71 with a mean age of 72 years who had also undergone radical prostatectomy and were available for evaluation. This group included 29 patients (40.8%) who received an earlier version of the AMS-800 (American Medical Systems, Minnetonka, Minnesota) and 42 (59.2%) who received the newer narrow back cuff device. Information on surgical procedures and followup were obtained from a computerized database. Patients were also contacted by an impartial reviewer who administered a standard telephone questionnaire on the degree of continence, complications, other means used to help with urinary continence, proficiency in device operation and satisfaction. RESULTS: At a mean followup of 7.7 years (range 0.5 to 16) 19 patients (27%) used 0, 23 (32%) used 1, 11 (15%) used 1 to 3 and 18 (25%) used more than 3 daily, while 1 used an external catheter. Surgical revision in 21 cases (29%) was required due to mechanical failure in 18 (25%), device erosion in 3 (4%) and infection in 1 (1.4%). The need for revision correlated significantly with the design of the sphincter (p = 0.005). Only 7 of the 42 patients in whom a narrow cuff AMS-800 was implanted needed revision versus 18 of the 23 with a previous design. Mean time to revision was 2.5 years (range 0.5 to 8). The device was removed in 2 cases (2.8%). Of the patients 41 (58%) are very satisfied, 14 (19%) are satisfied and 16 (23%) are unsatisfied with the device. The degree of satisfaction correlated with the number of pads used (p = 0.0005) and sphincter design (0.028) but not with the number of surgical revisions (p = 0.521) or patient age. CONCLUSIONS: The artificial urinary sphincter is a viable treatment option for post-radical prostatectomy incontinence with a high rate of continence and satisfaction for a long period after the procedure. Patients should be informed that complications necessitating device revision and explantation may appear late in followup. A standard definition of treatment success and studies of homogenous groups of patients with an artificial urinary sphincter would enable better understanding and patient education in the future.

Aged↗

Acute primary Chlamydia trachomatis infection in male adolescents after their first sexual contact.

BACKGROUND: Chlamydia trachomatis infection occurs primarily among youth sexually active persons. Few studies have evaluated the kinetics of markers of infection in male adolescents after their first sexual contact. DESIGN: Primary C trachomitis infection in 4 young male adolescents after their first sexual contact was diagnosed by polymerase chain reaction and antigen detection in sequential first voiding urine and urethral specimens, respectively. Serial serum samples were assessed for the presence of specific IgA and IgG antibodies. RESULTS: Both polymerase chain reaction and antigen detection correctly identified all cases of primary C trachomatis infection. The polymerase chain reaction method was, however, an earlier marker of infection. Three patients were seronegative at presentation. Two of these subsequently seroconverted to either IgA or IgG, while the third remains seronegative. The time interval from onset of symptoms to seroconversion ranged from 10 to 25 days. CONCLUSIONS: Although polymerase chain reaction and antigen and serologic detection have previously been described in primary C trachomatis infection, this report documents the variability of these markers during the first phase of infection in non-sexually active young male adolescents. C trachomatis can be acquired by male adolescents after their first sexual contact; however, there is a prolonged period when the patient is seronegative, yet infections can occur.

Adolescent↗

Current investigations and treatment of interstitial cystitis.

Interstitial cystitis (IC) is a chronic condition characterized by a constellation of symptoms such as urinary frequency, nocturia, urinary urgency, suprapubic pressure, and bladder and pelvic pain. Since its original description, the etiology of the disorder has remained unknown despite intense investigations. The International Cystitis Association (ICA) and the National Institutes of Arthritis, Diabetes, Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) have been instrumental in supporting the United States Interstitial Database (ICDB) and foster research to study the disorder. The NIDDK developed criteria to ensure that all groups of patients treated would be relatively comparable. However, many patients who would be clinically considered to have IC do not fulfill all the NIDDK criteria. Many clinical criteria for the diagnosis of IC, such as the presence of glomerulations and the intravesical potassium chloride test, are being challenged. The epidemiology of the disorder is not well established, but there are an estimated 700,000 cases of IC in the United States. Numerous pathophysiologic mechanisms have been proposed, but none have been proven. There is no representative animal model of IC. Both the oral and intravesical treatments of IC are noncurative, and few are based on a plausible mechanism or scientific evidence. Surgical treatment should be considered with extreme caution; it is the last therapeutic option because failure rate can be substantial.

Biomedical Research↗

Numb chin syndrome as the presenting symptom of metastatic prostate carcinoma.

We report a case of the numb chin syndrome as the presenting symptom in a patient with metastatic prostate carcinoma. The numb chin syndrome is characterized by facial numbness along the distribution of the mental branch of the trigeminal nerve. Most cases of this syndrome that are not dental in origin have been associated with diffuse metastatic disease, particularly with underlying lymphoproliferative and breast cancer. Although axial and vertebral bone metastases are common in patients with carcinoma of the prostate, mental nerve involvement is rare. We present a case of the numb chin syndrome as the initial clinical manifestation in a patient with metastatic prostate adenocarcinoma.

Aged↗

Transvaginal bone anchored sling.

INTRODUCTION: To describe a new technique for the treatment of stress urinary incontinence by the transvaginal creation of a sling anchored to the pubic bone. This technique is minimally invasive and easy to learn, with minimal morbidity and complications. TECHNICAL CONSIDERATIONS: Miniature bone screws with No. 1 polypropylene sutures attached to them and a battery-operated screw inserter are used for the fixation of a biocompatible fabric sling to the pubic bone. The procedure is performed transvaginally with no abdominal or suprapubic incisions. One screw is inserted on each side of the urethra into the pubic bone below the bladder neck. A tunnel is made submucosally between these two holes just below the bladder neck, and the sling is passed through it. Using the sutures on each side of the urethra, the sling edges are tied and pulled toward the pubic bone. The openings made in the vaginal mucosa are closed with absorbable sutures. CONCLUSIONS: This sling procedure is minimally invasive, safe, and effective. Further experience and longer follow-up are necessary to establish its role in the treatment of women with stress urinary incontinence.

Adult↗

Long-term follow-up of the in-flowtrade mark intraurethral insert for the treatment of women with voiding dysfunction.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the current study is to report the long-term follow-up of women treated with the In-Flowtrade mark device for periods longer than 1 year. Abstract METHODS: The efficacy of the intraurethral insert was evaluated in 92 women. Data regarding their urodynamic diagnosis, complications and satisfaction were collected. RESULTS: Early and late discontinuation of the device use was recorded in 52 patients (56.5%) and 19 patients (20.6%), respectively. Twenty-one patients (22.8%) are now being followed for more than 1 year with a follow-up time of 12-44 months (mean 24.6). Complications include device migration into the bladder (4 patients), asymptomatic bacteriuria (15 patients), and symptomatic urinary tract infections (4 cases, 1 of them pyelonephritis). In the 3 women who were sexually active before treatment, the use of the device did not preclude sexual intercourse, although mild dyspareunia was reported in 1 patient. Two patients complained of episodic inconvenience between their legs during walking. All patients were satisfied with the device and preferred it to previous treatment modalities used. The reasons for early and late discontinuation of treatment are described and discussed. CONCLUSIONS: The In-Flowtrade mark intraurethral insert can serve as a long-term treatment for the management of women with voiding difficulties. Women who continue treatment for a prolonged time are satisfied with the device use. Further studies comparing this treatment with other modalities are needed to support the role of the In-Flowtrade mark device in the management of women with voiding dysfunction.

Adolescent↗

Dynamic half Fourier acquisition, single shot turbo spin-echo magnetic resonance imaging for evaluating the female pelvis.

PURPOSE: We assessed the merit of dynamic half Fourier acquisition, single shot turbo spin-echo sequence T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for evaluating pelvic organ prolapse and all other female pelvic pathology by prospectively correlating clinical with imaging findings. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From September 1997 to April 1998, 100 consecutive women 23 to 88 years old with (65) and without (35) pelvic organ prolapse underwent half Fourier acquisition, single shot turbo spin-echo sequence dynamic pelvic T2-weighted MRI at our institution using a 1.5 Tesla magnet with phased array coils. Mid sagittal and parasagittal views with the patient supine, relaxed and straining were obtained using no pre-examination preparation or instrumentation. We evaluated the anterior vaginal wall, bladder, urethra, posterior vaginal wall, rectum, pelvic floor musculature, perineum, uterus, vaginal cuff, ovaries, ureters and intraperitoneal organs for all pathological conditions, including pelvic prolapse. Patients underwent a prospective physical examination performed by a female urologist, and an experienced radiologist blinded to pre-imaging clinical findings interpreted all studies. Physical examination, MRI and intraoperative findings were statistically correlated. RESULTS: Total image acquisition time was 2.5 minutes, room time 10 minutes and cost American $540. Half Fourier acquisition, single shot turbo spin-echo T2-weighted MRI revealed pathological entities other than pelvic prolapse in 55 cases, including uterine fibroids in 11, ovarian cysts in 9, bilateral ureteronephrosis in 3, nabothian cyst in 7, Bartholin's gland cyst in 4, urethral diverticulum in 3, polytetrafluoroethylene graft abscess in 3, bladder diverticulum in 2, sacral spinal abnormalities in 2, bladder tumor in 1, sigmoid diverticulosis in 1 and other in 9. Intraoperative findings were considered the gold standard against which physical examination and MRI were compared. Using these criteria the sensitivity, specificity and positive predictive value of MRI were 100%, 83% and 97% for cystocele; 100%, 75% and 94% for urethrocele; 100%, 54% and 33% for vaginal vault prolapse; 83%, 100% and 100% for uterine prolapse; 87%, 80% and 91% for enterocele; and 76%, 50% and 96% for rectocele. CONCLUSIONS: Dynamic half Fourier acquisition, single shot turbo spin-echo MRI appears to be an important adjunct in the comprehensive evaluation of the female pelvis. Except for rectocele, pelvic floor prolapse is accurately staged and pelvic organ pathology reliably detected. The technique is rapid, noninvasive and cost-effective, and it allows the clinician to visualize the whole pelvis using a single dynamic study that provides superb anatomical detail.

Adult↗

A remote controlled intraurethral insert for artificial voiding: a new concept for treating women with voiding dysfunction.

PURPOSE: Many patients with voiding dysfunction find clean intermittent catheterization unsatisfactory. We evaluated the efficacy of the new remote controlled intraurethral In-Flow Catheter insert for treating women with voiding dysfunction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We evaluated the efficacy of the intraurethral insert in 92 women with a mean age of 56 years. The insert is available in various sizes to adapt to individual urethras. It comprises a valve and pump assembly. A remote control unit is operated to open the valve and activate the pump, generating active urine flow. RESULTS: In 45 patients (49%) the device was removed after a mean of 7.1 days due to local discomfort or urinary leakage around the insert. At a mean followup of 7.6 months (range 2 to 26) 47 women (51%) continued to use the device, and all are dry with complete bladder emptying. The insert was replaced periodically at a mean of 38 days to prevent salt deposits in and around it which lead to urine leakage. Asymptomatic bacteriuria developed in 22 patients (46.8%). Clinical urinary tract infections resolved in 3.9% of all patients-months with oral antibiotics. No dyspareunia was reported. All patients were satisfied with the insert and preferred it to previous treatment modalities. CONCLUSIONS: This new remote controlled intraurethral insert is safe and effective in women with voiding difficulties.

Female↗