Magnetic resonance imaging as an assessment tool following intervention with an AdVance XP suburethral sling for postprostatectomy urinary incontinence.

AIMS: The aim of this study was to compare magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) parameters in patients with mild incontinence after radical prostatectomy, who had undergone treatment with a suburethral sling. The objective was to compare patients who had been successfully treated with unsuccessful patients. METHODS: This observational cohort study at a single institution evaluated consecutive patients treated with an AdVance XP sling. MRI was performed using a 1.5 Tesla system. Preoperative urodynamic assessment and flexible cystoscopy were performed. The qualitative analysis was based on sling indentation (complete vs incomplete). The quantitative analysis comprised the following three parameters: the sling-pubis distance, the thickness of the proximal urethral bulb, and the sling backward distance (SBD), defined as the distance between the prolongation of a line through the major axis of the pubis (the line-segment joining the vertices of the pubis) and the sling indentation. The primary outcome was pad count at 3 months; cure as zero pads. A logistic univariate regression model was employed to assess the potential predictors of successful outcomes. An adjusted multivariate logistic regression model using the significant univariate factors was developed. RESULTS: Of the 83 patients enrolled, the univariate analysis revealed a relationship between failure and adverse urodynamics and between success and sling indentation, thickness of the proximal bulb and SBD. Only the association with SBD persisted in the multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS: MRI revealed a strong relationship between proper positioning of the sling (small SBD) and continence outcome. These data have important implications for a second surgery following initial sling failure.