Adjustable bulbourethral male sling: Experience after 30 cases of moderate to severe male stress urinary incontinence.

OBJECTIVE: To report our experience using the Argus perineal sling from July 2015 to April 2018 for male stress urinary incontinence (SUI) after prostatic surgery. To evaluate the safety, efficacy and healthrelated quality of life in patients undergoing this procedure. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The positioning of an adjustable bulbourethral male sling provides a perineal incision, exposure of the bulbospongiosus muscle and the application of the sling bearing on it with transobturator passage of the two extremities with out-in technique. To modulate the bearing tension on the urethra, with a rigid cystoscope the Retrogade Leak Point Pressure is measured, increasing it by 10-15 cm of H20 from baseline. We retrospectively evaluated the results of this implant performed by the same operator on 30 patients who presented post-operative SUI from medium to severe (> = 2 pads/day, pad test at one hour > = 11 g). Mean operative time and possible intra and postoperative complications were evaluated. Postoperatively each patient was reassessed according to the following parameters: number of pads consumed/ die, pad tesy at one hour, ICQS-F, any related side effects. RESULTS: After the intervention, 21 of 30 patients (70% of the total) were totally continent (< 1 pad / day, pad test at 1 h < 1-2 g, ICQS-F < 11), out of them 4 required a single adjustment at 3 months in order to achieve this result. 9 of 30 patients (30 %) achieved a clinically significant improvement without obtaining total continence (mean reduction of the n° pads/day: -2.5 ± 1 DS; average reduction of the pad test at 1 h: -20 g ± 4 DS; ICQS-F average reduction: -6 points ± 2 DS), out of them 5 required a 3 month adjustment to obtain these improvements resulting, 4 needed 2 adjustments resulting because the first adjustment was not satisfactory and one who ameliorated from severe to moderate incontinence decided to live in this clinical condition. CONCLUSIONS: The results of our study show that the positioning of this sling represents a valid treatment for the moderate and severe post-surgical male SUI. The possibility of adjusting the tension of the sleeve in a "second look" makes the intervention adaptable according to the results obtained. Only multicentric clinical trials on larger series would clarify and eventually confirm the clinical benefits of this sling in post-surgical male SUI.

Clinical and urodynamic impact of detrusor overactivity in women with overactive bladder. / Repercusión clínica y urodinámica de la presencia de hiperactividad del detrusor en mujeres con vejiga hiperactiva.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical and urodynamic differences (associated with the presence or absence of detrusor overactivity [DO]) in women with overactive bladder (OAB) referred to Functional Urology and Urodynamic Units in Spain. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Observational, cross-sectional, multicenter and prospective study conducted in Spain in women with clinical diagnosis of OAB, who had been referred to urodynamic study (UDS) of which centralized reading was performed. Patients completed the 3-day voiding diary (DM3d) with the PPIUS scale (Patient Perception of Intensity of Urgency Scale), the B-SAQ (Bladder Self-Assessment Questionnaire) and the OABq-SF (Overactive Bladder Questionnaire Short Form). The questionnaires and UDS variables of women with OAV, with or without DO, were compared using the Mann-Whitney test (continuous variables) and the chi-square test (χ2) (categorical variables). RESULTS: A total of 247 women with OAB were evaluated, and 103 of them had DO. According to the presence or absence of DO, significant differences were observed in the number of episodes of urge urinary incontinence (UUI), urinary frequency, nocturia, mean micturition volume and number of pads (P<.05 for all comparisons). A higher percentage of patients with OAB and DO presented reduced bladder capacity, urgency, urge urinary incontinence (UUI) and lower volume for first voiding desire, strong desire to void and maximum cystomanometric capacity in UDS compared with patients without DO (P<.05 for all comparisons). The only significant differences between both groups were regarding the B-SAQ symptoms scale (P=.011). CONCLUSIONS: The presence of DO in women with OAB is related to a more severe alteration of the bladder filling phase.

Practice of use of diapers in hospitalized adults and elderly: cross-sectional study / Práctica del uso de pañales en adultos y ancianos hospitalizados: estudio transversal / Prática do uso de fraldas em adultos e idosos hospitalizados: estudo transversal

ABSTRACT Objective: analyze the practice of use of diapers in adults and elderly in hospital. Method: observational cross-sectional study, with a sample of 105 participants assigned according to the data collection period, from September 2013 to January 2014, in the surgical clinic wards in a University Hospital. Results: it was observed that 38% of the 105 participants of the study did not need the use of diapers. 18% used it because they were disabled and 16% had their cognitive system damaged. As they were hospitalized, it was identified that 51.4% of patients were there ranging from 02 to 10 days, and 60% used diapers for the same period. It is also identified that long term urinary catheter (24.8%), as technology associated to diapers in the urinary control and to pressure ulcers (12.4%), being the main complication. Conclusion: the use of diapers did not have specific criteria to be selected. For this, it was proposed an "Evaluation Scale of Diapers Use in Adults", as for indication as for its monitoring to help the study transposal for the nursing practice.

RESUMEN Objetivo: analizar la práctica del uso de pañales en adultos y ancianos en el escenario hospitalario. Método: estudio del tipo observacional, transversal, con muestra por conveniencia de 105 participantes, asignados según el período de recolección de los datos de septiembre de 2013 a enero de 2014, en las enfermerías de clínica quirúrgica de un Hospital Universitario. Resultados: fue observado que el 38% de los 105 participantes del estudio no presentaban motivos para usar pañales. El 18% utilizado fue debido a la movilidad perjudicada y el 16% al cognitivo perjudicado. En el tiempo de la hospitalización, fue identificado que el 51,4% estaban hospitalizados de 02 a 10 días y el 60% utilizaban pañales por el mismo período. Además, identificase el catéter vesical de demora (24,8%) como tecnología asociada a los pañales en el control urinario y la úlcera por la presión (12,4%) como complicación principal. Conclusión: el uso de pañales se mostró con criterios inespecíficos en la selección de su uso. Por eso se propone una "Escala de evaluación del uso de los pañales para adultos" tanto para indicación como para su acompañamiento, para auxiliar en la transposición del estudio para la práctica de la enfermería.

RESUMO Objetivo: analisar a prática do uso de fraldas em adultos e idosos no cenário hospitalar. Método: estudo do tipo observacional, transversal, com amostra por conveniência de 105 participantes, alocados segundo o período de coleta dos dados, de setembro de 2013 a janeiro de 2014, nas enfermarias de clínica cirúrgica de um Hospital Universitário. Resultados: observou-se que 38% dos 105 participantes do estudo não apresentavam motivos para usar fraldas. 18% utilizavam devido à mobilidade prejudicada e 16% por cognitivo prejudicado. No tempo de internação, identificou-se 51,4% dos pacientes estavam internados de 02 a 10 dias, e 60% utilizavam fraldas pelo mesmo período. Identifica-se ainda o cateter vesical de demora (24,8%), como tecnologia associada às fraldas no controle urinário e, a úlcera por pressão (12,4%), como complicação principal. Conclusão: o uso de fraldas se mostrou com critérios inespecíficos na seleção do seu uso. Por isso, propõe-se uma "Escala de Avaliação do Uso das Fraldas para Adultos" tanto para indicação, como para o seu acompanhamento, para auxiliar na transposição do estudo para a prática de enfermagem.

Practice of use of diapers in hospitalized adults and elderly: cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: analyze the practice of use of diapers in adults and elderly in hospital. METHOD: observational cross-sectional study, with a sample of 105 participants assigned according to the data collection period, from September 2013 to January 2014, in the surgical clinic wards in a University Hospital. RESULTS: it was observed that 38% of the 105 participants of the study did not need the use of diapers. 18% used it because they were disabled and 16% had their cognitive system damaged. As they were hospitalized, it was identified that 51.4% of patients were there ranging from 02 to 10 days, and 60% used diapers for the same period. It is also identified that long term urinary catheter (24.8%), as technology associated to diapers in the urinary control and to pressure ulcers (12.4%), being the main complication. CONCLUSION: the use of diapers did not have specific criteria to be selected. For this, it was proposed an "Evaluation Scale of Diapers Use in Adults", as for indication as for its monitoring to help the study transposal for the nursing practice.

Incontinence brief use in acute hospitalized patients with no prior incontinence.

PURPOSE: The aim of the study was to evaluate the incidence of in-hospital incontinence brief use among older patients who did not use diapers prior to admission. A second aim was to identify factors affecting the use of incontinence briefs, commodes, urinals, and self-toileting. SUBJECTS AND SETTING: The study was conducted in 5 medical acute-care units of a 900-bed teaching hospital in Israel. The data presented here were collected from a total of 465 patients (age ≥ 70 years) who did not use incontinence briefs prior to admission. METHODS: The current study is part of a larger prospective cohort study conducted from February to November 2009. Patients or proxies were interviewed on admission regarding their functional status, mobility, continence status, and type of voiding patterns prior to hospital stay. Interviews regarding in-hospital voiding and mobility patterns were conducted each day after the first 48 hours of hospitalization. Electronic medical records were extracted to calculate the severity of illness, comorbidity score, and length of hospital stay. RESULTS: The incidence of in-hospital adult incontinence brief use was 14% (65/465), whereas the rate of in-hospital commodes/urinals was 8.2% (38/465). The relative risk (RR) of incontinence brief use versus self-toileting was 18.76 (95% confidence intervals [CI]: 4.36-43.72) and 10.12 (95% CI: 2.23-13.48) higher for patients with low or moderate in-hospital mobility, respectively, versus those who were highly mobile. Patients who used incontinence briefs were more likely to be female (RR = 1.65; CI: 1.20-2.23) and were more likely to have low mobility (RR = 1.59; 95% CI: 1.10-2.35) than patients who used commodes/urinals. CONCLUSIONS: Adult incontinence briefs are frequently used in continent patients, especially women, with low mobility. However, the current literature identifies incontinence briefs use as leading to multiple adverse outcomes. Therefore, the use of adult incontinence briefs among hospitalized older adults requires more scrutiny.

In-hospital use of continence aids and new-onset urinary incontinence in adults aged 70 and older.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the types of continence aids that older adults hospitalized in acute medical units use and to test the association between use of continence aids and development of new urinary incontinence (UI) at discharge. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. SETTING: A 900-bed teaching hospital in Israel. PARTICIPANTS: Three hundred fifty-two acute medical patients aged 70 and older who were continent before admission. MEASUREMENTS: In-hospital use of continence aids was assessed according to participant self-report on use of urinary catheters (UCs) or adult diapers or of self-toileting. The development of new UI was defined as participant report of inability to control voiding at discharge. Multivariate analyses modeled the association between use of continence aids (vs self-toileting) and the development of new UI, controlling for baseline functional and cognitive status, disease severity, age, and length of stay. RESULTS: Of the 352 participants, 58 (16.5%) used adult diapers, and 27 (7.7%) had a UC during most of the hospital stay. Sixty (17.1%) participants developed new UI at discharge. The odds of developing new UI were 4.26 (95% confidence interval (CI)=1.53-11.83) times higher for UC users and 2.62 (95% CI=1.17-5.87) times higher for adult diaper users than for the self-toileting group, controlling for the above risk factors. CONCLUSION: The use of adult diapers and UCs during acute hospitalization is associated with the development of new UI at discharge. The management of continence in hospitalized older adults requires more diligence, and further investigation is needed to devise continence promotion methods in hospital settings.

Pad per day usage, urinary incontinence and urinary tract infections in nursing home residents.

BACKGROUND: many elderly suffer from urinary incontinence and use absorbent pads. Pad use per day (PPD) is a frequently used measure of urinary incontinence. Nursing home residents are often dependent on help from nursing staff to change pads. This study was performed in order to determine whether PPD is a reliable method to quantify urinary incontinence in nursing home residents. Furthermore, the association between urinary tract infections (UTIs), PPD and fluid intake was studied. METHODS: data were retrieved from a multicentre, prospective surveillance among nursing home residents. Data on the use of absorbent pads, fluid intake and incontinence volumes were collected during 48 h. During a 1-year follow-up period, data on UTIs were collected. RESULTS: in this study, 153 residents were included, of whom 118 (77%) used absorbent pads. Residents who used absorbent pads were at increased risk of developing UTIs compared to residents who did not use pads (41 vs 11%; P = 0.001). Daily fluid intake was not associated with UTIs (P = 0.46). The number of pad changes showed no correlation with the risk of developing UTIs (P = 0.62). Patients with a given PPD presented a wide range of incontinence volumes. CONCLUSION: the use of absorbent pads is associated with an increased risk of developing UTIs. PPD and daily fluid intake are not correlated with the risk of developing UTIs. PPD is an unreliable measure of urinary incontinence in nursing home residents.

Continence definition after radical prostatectomy using urinary quality of life: evaluation of patient reported validated questionnaires.

PURPOSE: After radical prostatectomy continence is commonly defined as no pads except a security pad or 0 to 1 pad. We evaluated the association of pad status and urinary quality of life to determine whether security and 1 pad status differ from pad-free status to better define 0 pads as the post-prostatectomy standard. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 500 consecutive men underwent robot assisted radical prostatectomy from October 2003 to July 2007. Data were collected prospectively and entered into an electronic database. Postoperatively men completed self-administered validated questionnaires including questions on 1) daily pad use (0, security, 1, or 2 or more), 2) urine leakage (daily, about once weekly, less than once weekly or not at all), 3) urinary control (none, frequent dribbling, occasional dribbling or total control), 4) American Urological Association symptom score and 5) urinary quality of life. RESULTS: Postoperatively men who indicated 0 pad use had a mean +/- SE symptom score of 5.8 +/- 0.3 and pleased quality of life (1.16 +/- 0.08). In contrast, men with a security pad and 1 pad had a symptom score of 7.6 +/- 0.7 and 9.2 +/- 0.6 but mixed quality of life (2.78 +/- 0.18 and 3.41 +/- 0.15, respectively, p <0.0005). CONCLUSIONS: Results show a significant decrease in quality of life between no pads (1.16 or pleased), a security pad and 0 or 1 pad (2.78 and 3.41 or mixed, respectively). Findings do not support defining continence with a security pad or 0 to 1 pad. Continence should be strictly defined as 0 pads.

Can an individualized and comprehensive care strategy improve urinary incontinence (UI) among nursing home residents?

Urinary incontinence (UI) is one of the most common and distressing conditions among nursing home residents. Although scheduled care is usually provided for them, incontinence care should be individualized regarding going to the toilet, changing diapers, and taking food and water. We have developed an individualized and comprehensive care strategy to address the problem. We conducted an intervention study that involved training chiefs of staffs, who in turn trained other staffs, and encouraging residents. A total of 153 elderly subjects selected from 1290 residents in 17 nursing homes were eligible to receive our individualized and comprehensive care. The goals of the care strategy were (i) to complete meal intake; (ii) to take fluids up to 1500 ml/day; (iii) to urinate in a toilet; (iv) to spend over 6h out of bed; and (v) to reduce time spent in wet diapers. We explained the aims of our strategy to the chiefs of staff of each nursing home and instructed them to encourage residents to take an active part in our individualized and comprehensive care strategy for 12 weeks. For 3 days before and after that period, we assessed the changes in fluid volume intake, time spent in wet diapers, size of diaper pads, and urination habits. The result was that fluid volume intake significantly increased (p<0.001) while time spent in wet diapers decreased (p<0.001). The number of residents wearing diapers decreased as did the size of pads during the day (p=0.0017). The proportion of residents using diapers at night was reduced and those using toilets at night increased (p=0.007). This study suggests that such an individualized and comprehensive care strategy can offer a measurable improvement in UI care.

Use of urinary collection devices in skilled nursing facilities in five states.

OBJECTIVES: To assess use of urinary collection devices (external, intermittent, and indwelling catheters; pads or briefs) and examine predictors of indwelling catheters in skilled nursing facilities (SNFs). DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. SETTING: SNFs in California, Florida, Michigan, New York, and Texas. PARTICIPANTS: All patients admitted to SNFs in 2003 who remained there for 1 year (N=57,302). MEASUREMENTS: Characteristics of patients who used different collection strategies (indwelling, intermittent, and external catheterization; pads or briefs) and predictors of indwelling urinary catheterization from the Nursing Home Minimum Data Set using multinomial logistic regression. RESULTS: The prevalence of indwelling catheterization was 12.6% at admission and 4.5% at the annual assessment (P<.001). Intermittent and external catheterization were infrequently used (<1% at admission and annual assessment). Paraplegia, quadriplegia, multiple sclerosis, and comatose state were strongly associated with indwelling catheterization. Male residents were more likely to use an indwelling catheter at every assessment, as were obese patients; individuals with diabetes mellitus, renal failure, skin conditions, deep vein thrombosis, aphasia, or end-stage disease; and those who were taking more medications. CONCLUSION: Coinciding with federal regulations, urinary catheterization was lower than has been reported previously and declined over time. Further reduction should be targeted at the evaluation of skin problems, appropriateness of multiple medications, and alternative measures in patients with diabetes mellitus, obesity, deep vein thrombosis, and communication problems.

Quality-of-life impact and treatment of urinary incontinence in ethnically diverse older women.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the factors associated with greater quality-of-life impact, treatment seeking, and use of treatments for urinary incontinence in ethnically diverse older women. METHODS: Cross-sectional analysis of a population-based cohort of 2109 middle-aged and older women who were randomly selected from age and race/ethnicity strata. Data were collected by self-report questionnaires and in-person interviews. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify predictors of high quality-of-life impact (Incontinence Impact Questionnaire [IIQ] score > or =75th percentile), treatment seeking, and use of treatments for incontinence. RESULTS: More than one fourth (n = 603) of the study participants (including 96 black [16%], 123 Latina [20%], 65 Asian [11%], and 309 white [51%] women) reported weekly incontinence. After clinical severity and other factors were adjusted for, women were more likely to experience high quality-of-life impact if they had nighttime incontinence (odds ratio [OR], 2.5; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.3-4.9), coital incontinence (OR, 1.9; 95% CI, 1.1-3.3), or comorbid fecal incontinence (OR, 2.2; 95% CI, 1.2-4.2). Predictors of treatment seeking included older age (OR, 1.6 per 10 years; 95% CI, 1.2-2.0); higher IIQ score (OR, 4.6 for highest IIQ quartile vs lowest IIQ quartile; 95% CI, 2.5-8.4), and higher household income (OR, 2.6 for income > or = US dollars 100 000/y vs < US dollars 20 000/y; 95% CI, 1.0-2.7). CONCLUSIONS: Clinicians seeking to evaluate the impact of incontinence on women's lives should assess not only the clinical severity of their symptoms but also the specific context in which symptoms occur. The prevalence of treatment seeking for incontinence is low across all ethnic groups, even when women have clinically severe symptoms and access to a health provider.

Prevalence and burden of fecal incontinence: a population-based study in women.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: The epidemiology of fecal incontinence (FI) is incompletely understood. We report the prevalence, clinical spectrum, health care-seeking behavior, and quality of life (QOL) in community women with FI. METHODS: A questionnaire was mailed to an age-stratified random sample of 5300 Olmsted County, Minnesota, women identified by the Rochester Epidemiology Project. Symptom severity was assessed by a validated scale, and impact on QOL was evaluated for subjects who had any FI during the past year. The prevalence of FI was calculated with direct age adjustment to the 2000 US white female population. RESULTS: Altogether, 2800 of 5300 women (53%) responded to the survey. The overall age-adjusted prevalence of FI in the past year was 12.1 per 100 (95% confidence interval, 11.0-13.1). The prevalence increased with age from 7 (third decade) to 22 (sixth decade) per 100 and was steady thereafter. Symptoms were mild (45%), moderate (50%), or severe (5%), and symptom severity was related to the impact of FI on QOL and physician-consulting behavior. Moderate to severe impact on >/=1 domain of QOL was reported by 6% with mild, 35% with moderate, and 82% with severe symptoms, whereas 5% with mild, 10% with moderate, and 48% with severe FI had consulted a physician for FI in the past year. CONCLUSIONS: More than 1 of 10 adult women in the population have FI; almost 1 of 15 have moderate to severe FI. FI significantly impacts QOL and prompts health care utilization predominantly in women with moderate to severe symptoms.

Managing fecal incontinence: self-care practices of older adults.

Little is known about the ways in which community-dwelling elderly individuals manage fecal incontinence (FI) in their daily lives. In this study, community-dwelling elderly individuals were surveyed at clinics of a health maintenance organization (HMO) to describe the self-care practices used to manage FI and to examine factors that influenced the number of self-care practices used and the reporting of FI to a health care practitioner. Responses of 242 elderly individuals who reported that they had FI several times per year were analyzed. The self-care practices used most commonly were changing diet, wearing a sanitary pad/brief, and reducing activity or exercise. Elderly women and those with a greater severity of FI and more chronic health problems engaged in more self-care practices. Factors associated with reporting FI to a clinician were considering FI to be a problem, uncertainty about the cause of FI, and changing diet to avoid FI. There is a need to promote effective management strategies for FI to older individuals living in the community.

The handling of urinary incontinence in Danish general practices after distribution of guidelines and voiding diary reimbursement: an observational study.

BACKGROUND: Though urinary incontinence (UI) is a bothersome condition for the individual patient, the patients tend not to inform their physician about UI and the physician tend not to ask the patient. Recently different initiatives have been established in Danish general practices to improve the management of UI. The aim of this study was to identify the handling of urinary incontinence (UI) in Danish general practices after distribution of clinical guidelines and reimbursement for using a UI diary. METHODS: In October 2001, a questionnaire was sent to 243 general practitioners (GPs) in Frederiksborg County following distribution of clinical guidelines in July 1999 (UI in general practice) and September 2001 (UI in female, geriatric, or neurological patients). A policy for a small reimbursement to GPs for use of a fluid intake/voiding diary in the assessment of UI in general practice was implemented in October 2001. Information concerning monthly reimbursement for using a voiding diary, prescribed drugs (presumably used for treating UI), UI consultations in outpatient clinics, and patient reimbursement for pads was obtained from the National Health Service County Registry. RESULTS: Of the 132 (54%) GPs who replied, 87% had read the guidelines distributed 2 years before, but only 47% used them daily. The majority (69%) of the responding GPs had read and appreciated 1-3 other UI guidelines distributed before the study took place. Eighty-three percent of the responding GPs sometimes or often actively asked their patients about UI, and 92% sometimes or often included a voiding diary in the UI assessment. The available registry data concerning voiding diary reimbursement, prescribed UI drugs, UI consultations in outpatient clinics, and patient reimbursement for pads were insufficient or too variable to determine significant trends. CONCLUSION: GPs management of UI in a Danish county may be reasonable, but low response rate to the questionnaire and insufficient registry data made it difficult to evaluate the impact of different UI initiatives.

Report of a mail survey of women with bladder control disorders.

INTRODUCTION: Very little is known about a patients perception of the severity of incontinence, absorbent product use, and interaction with health care professionals despite the growing prevalence of bladder control disorders such as urinary incontinence (UI) and overactive bladder. PURPOSE: Using a simple mail-in questionnaire, this survey was meant to evaluate the limitations in intervention for UI in women due to communication shorffalls. It cites common resources utilized once a woman finds significance to her bladder control problem. The survey explores the adequacy of intervention relative to the effective availability of information, materials, and treatment. The objective was to understand the current patient-professional relationship in order to evaluate different vehicles that might effectively increase communication regarding incontinence issues. METHODS: In partnership with a mail order medical product company, the author formulated a questionnaire that was mailed by the company to 1,500 women. Half of the sample was derived from randomly selected "leads" from advertising sources and personal referrals who had identified themselves as incontinent but had never purchased incontinence supplies from them. The other half were randomly selected customers who had purchased the company's incontinence products. The 33-item multiple-choice questionnaire had 422 responses; of these, 405 women, aged 56 and older were evaluated. A research firm that conducts and analyzes consumer surveys using standard consumer research protocol tabulated results. FINDINGS: Of those suffering from UI, two groups emerged. The first felt that incontinence was related to aging, and were not embarrassed to discuss it with their physician. They had mixed feelings regarding impact on quality of life. The second group was reluctant to seek professional advice and was uncomfortable speaking about it. They felt strongly about its negative impact on daily life. Respondents from both groups who seek professional assistance still desired more information about the causes, treatments, and coping mechanisms. Most wanted more provider interaction and wanted their doctor or health care provider to proactively initiate discussion on incontinence and provide information, educational materials, and product samples. CONCLUSION: Respondents indicated that they want more information regarding incontinence. While they may not be equipped to fully understand the problem, they expect doctors, nurses, medical professionals, retail outlets, medical supply companies, and mail order houses to provide the information. Since respondents are receiving information through consumer advertising, which is usually commercially funded, a partnership between the health care community and these sources to produce this information would be ideal.

Urethral catheter removal 3 days after radical retropubic prostatectomy is feasible and desirable.

The purpose of this work was to assess the feasibility of urethral catheter removal 3 days after radical retropubic prostatectomy (RRP). Twenty-two patients who underwent RRP with a watertight eight-suture vesicourethral anastomosis had their urethral catheter removed usually on postoperative day (POD) 3. The average day of urethral catheter removal was POD 3.2. At 3 months, 56% of patients required no or one protective pad to stay dry and 68.4% of patients 'never leaked' or 'leaked occasionally'. Following RRP, the urethral catheter can be removed as early as POD 3 if the intraoperative anastomosis is watertight without compromising urinary continence.