Mechanical inserts for the treatment of faecal incontinence: A systematic review.

Objective: To perform a systematic review of the literature to examine original research on the role of mechanical inserts, both vaginal and anal, for the treatment of faecal incontinence (FI). Materials and methods: We searched the PubMed, Cochrane Library, and ClinicalTrials.gov databases for any peer-reviewed original research in English on the role of mechanical inserts for the treatment of FI. Results: We identified 35 unique citations. After title review and exclusion of articles not reporting original research, eight publications were included in the final review: two focused on vaginal inserts and six focused on anal inserts. Limited evidence indicates that both vaginal and anal inserts can be an effective and safe therapeutic option for patients with FI. Conclusions: Data regarding vaginal and anal mechanical inserts for the treatment of FI, albeit limited, suggest that inserts can be included in a discussion of therapeutic options for a patient with FI. Further studies are needed to elucidate long-term usability, efficacy, and safety. Abbreviations: FI: faecal incontinence; (m)ITT: (modified) intention-to-treat.

Duration of Catheterization After Retropubic Midurethral Sling.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to describe the expected duration of self-catheterization in women discharged home performing intermittent self-catheterization (ISC) after retropubic midurethral sling (RMUS). METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort analysis of women who underwent an isolated RMUS by 3 providers between 2009 and 2014 at a single institution. A 300 mL retrograde-fill voiding trial (VT) was performed before discharge. Those who failed their VT (postvoid residual [PVR] >1/3 total bladder volume [TBV]) and could perform ISC are included in this analysis. Subjects were categorized into mild retention (PVR >1/3 and <2/3 the TBV) or severe retention (PVR ≥2/3 the TBV). Patients could discontinue ISC after achieving 2 consecutive PVR volumes of less than 75 mL. Duration of catheterization was determined in days. RESULTS: Two hundred women underwent isolated RMUS. Forty-seven (23.5%) failed their VT of whom 39 (included in this analysis) could perform ISC and had complete data. Subjects had a mean ± SD age of 49 ± 11 years. The median (interquartile range) PVR volume postoperatively was 250 (190-325) mL. Median (interquartile range) days of postoperative ISC for the cohort was 2 (1-4); 37.5% were catheterized for 1 day, 32.5% for 2 days, 2.5% for 3 days, and 27.5% for more than 3 days. Seventeen (39.5%) met the criteria for mild retention and 26 (60.5%) met the criteria for severe retention. There was no difference in the postoperative catheterization days between the mild and severe retention groups (P = 0.16). CONCLUSIONS: Urinary retention will resolve within 2 days in the majority (73%) of women discharged performing ISC after RMUS.