ABSTRACT

Abstract:

We evaluated short-term results of patients undergoing to positioning of Argus-T sling for the treatment of post-prostatectomy stress urinary incontinence (SUI).

Materials and Methods:

182 patients were treated with Argus-T sling at four institutions from June 2008 to March 2013. The preoperative evaluation included medical history, pad count (1-2 pads: mild SUI; 3-5 pads: moderate SUI; >5 pads: severe SUI), VAS on continence, QoL score scale, physical examination, cystoscopy and urodynamic evaluation. Postoperative evaluation was performed four weeks postoperatively, and late follow-up (FU) was achieved in April 2013. We considered a satisfactory result cured (no pads) and or improved (1-2 pads per day).

Results:

21 (11.8%), 96 (52.7%) and 65 patients (35.7%) were affected by mild, moderate and severe incontinence respectively. At the median FU of 22 months the overall satisfactory rate was 86.2%. Satisfactory results were 95% in mild incontinence, 78% in moderate incontinence and 70% in severe incontinence. In cured and improved patients we observed a statistically amelioration of QoL (p<0.0001). Sling regulation was necessary in 42.9% of cases while its removal occurred in 9.3% of cases. Postoperative complications were reported in 14.3% of patients. In patients with previous radiotherapy we observed a satisfactory result in 61.2% of cases.

Conclusions:

This study represents the first report that shows short-term results of Argus-T positioning in a large population. This device seems to offer good outcomes in patients with mild and moderate SUI while in case of previous radiotherapy it is associated with a low possibility to recover a satisfactory continence.