Treatment of moderate to severe female stress urinary incontinence with the adjustable continence therapy (ACT) device after failed surgical repair.

INTRODUCTION: Treatment of recurrent stress incontinence after a failed surgical procedure is more complicated, and repeat surgeries have higher rates of complications and limited efficacy. We determined the technical feasibility, efficacy, adjustability, and safety of adjustable continence therapy device for treatment of moderate to severe recurrent urinary incontinence after failed surgical procedure. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Female patients with moderate to severe recurrent stress urinary incontinence who had at least one prior surgical procedure for incontinence were enrolled. All patients underwent percutaneous placement of adjustable continence therapy (ACT) device (Uromedica, Plymouth, Minnesota). Baseline and regular follow-up tests to determine subjective and objective improvement were performed. RESULTS: A total of 89 patients have undergone implantation with 1-3 years of follow-up. Data are available on 77 patients at 1 year. Of the patients, 47% were dry at 1 year and 92% improved after 1-year follow-up. Stamey score improved from 2.25 to 0.94 at 1 year (P < 0.001). IQOL questionnaire scores improved from 33.9 to 71.6 at 1 year (P < 0.001). UDI scores reduced from 60.7 to 33.3 (P < 0.001) at 1 year. IIQ scores reduced from 57.0 to 21.6 (P < 0.001) at 1 year. Diary incontinence episodes per day improved from 8.1 to 3.9 (P < 0.001) at 1 year. Diary pads used per day improved from 4.3 to 1.9 (P < 0.001). Explantation was required in 21.7% of patients. CONCLUSION: The ACT device is an effective, simple, safe, and minimally invasive treatment for moderate to severe recurrent female stress urinary incontinence after failed surgical treatment.

The adjustable continence therapy system for recurrent female stress urinary incontinence: 1-year results of the North America Clinical Study Group.

PURPOSE: We determined the efficacy, safety, adjustability and technical feasibility of the adjustable continence therapy device (Uromedica, Plymouth, Minnesota) for the treatment of recurrent female stress urinary incontinence. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Female patients with recurrent stress urinary incontinence were enrolled in the study and a defined set of exclusionary criteria were followed. Baseline and regular followup tests to determine eligibility, and to measure subjective and objective improvement were performed. A trocar was passed fluoroscopically and with digital vaginal guidance to the urethrovesical junction through small incisions between the labia majora and minora. The adjustable continence therapy device was delivered and the balloons were filled with isotonic contrast. The injection ports for balloon inflation were placed in a subcutaneous pocket in each labia majora. Device adjustments were performed percutaneously in the clinic postoperatively. An approved investigational device exemption Food and Drug Administration protocol was followed to record all adverse events. RESULTS: A total of 162 subjects underwent implantation with 1 year of data available on 140. Mean Stamey score improved by 1 grade or more in 76.4% (107 of 140) of subjects. Improvement in the mean incontinence quality of life questionnaire score was noted at 36.5 to 70.7 (p <0.001). Reductions in mean Urogenital Distress Inventory (60.3 to 33.4) and Incontinence Impact Questionnaire (54.4 to 23.4) scores also occurred (p <0.001). Mean provocative pad weight decreased from 49.6 to 11.2 gm (p <0.001). Of the patients 52% (67 of 130) were dry at 1 year (less than 2 gm on provocative pad weight testing) and 80% (102 of 126) were improved (greater than 50% reduction on provocative pad weight testing). Complications occurred in 24.4% (38 of 156) of patients. Explantation was required in 18.3% (28 of 153) of the patients during 1 year. In terms of the complications 96.0% were considered to be mild or moderate. CONCLUSIONS: The Uromedica adjustable continence therapy device is an effective, simple, safe and minimally invasive treatment for recurrent female stress urinary incontinence. It can be easily adjusted percutaneously to enhance efficacy and complications are usually easily manageable. Explantation does not preclude later repeat implantation.