Salvage prostatectomy with continent catheterizable urinary reconstruction: a novel approach to recurrent prostate cancer after radiation therapy.

PURPOSE: Salvage prostatectomy after full dose radiation therapy is associated with a high risk of urinary incontinence. We evaluated the complications of salvage prostatectomy with continent catheterizable reconstruction and its impact on urinary incontinence. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between August 1995 and February 1999, 13 patients with biopsy proved, locally recurrent prostate cancer after radiation therapy underwent salvage prostatectomy with complete bladder neck closure and reconstruction with an appendicovesicostomy to the native bladder in 9 and ileovesicostomy in 4. RESULTS: There were no intraoperative complications. Four patients had serious complications necessitating reoperation, including a vesicourethral fistula requiring delayed cystectomy, wound dehiscence with disruption of the appendicovesical anastomosis, leakage from the small bowel anastomosis that resulted in sepsis and death, and stomal stenosis requiring delayed stomal revision in 1 each. Of 12 patients 2 (17%) used pads for incontinence, while 10 were dry during the day and night with a catheterization interval of 2 to 6 hours. CONCLUSIONS: Salvage prostatectomy with continent catheterizable reconstruction is a technically challenging operation with the potential for serious complications. The postoperative continence rate is excellent and appears superior to those in the literature for salvage prostatectomy and vesicourethral anastomosis.

Do urinary symptoms correlate with urodynamic findings?

PURPOSE: We determined whether urinary symptomatology correlates with video urodynamic findings. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 115 women with complaints of urinary incontinence completed a 27-item questionnaire. Pelvic examination and video urodynamic study were performed. Subjective findings were scored from 0 to 5, with 5 representing the most severe symptomatology. Patients were divided into 5 subgroups based on etiology of incontinence, and analyzed by Student's t test with p < 0.05 considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Among the 115 patients 11% had normal studies, 38% proximal urethral hypermobility with stress urinary incontinence, 33% intrinsic sphincter deficiency, 11% significant pelvic prolapse and stress urinary incontinence, and 10% detrusor instability. Subjective complaints, such as incontinence during physical activity, were prominent in both stress urinary incontinence groups as well as the prolapse group with stress urinary incontinence. Questions about nocturia, frequency, urgency, urge incontinence, number of pads, number of vaginal deliveries and incomplete emptying were not statistically significant for any group. CONCLUSIONS: Subjective complaints were not helpful in differentiating the etiology of incontinence. Few questions were helpful in predicting which patients would have a normal video urodynamic study.

Enterocystoplasty or detrusor myectomy? Comparison of indications and outcomes for bladder augmentation.

PURPOSE: We review our experience with enterocystoplasty and detrusor myectomy to delineate clinical indications and compare operative outcomes with both types of bladder augmentation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective analysis of 61 patients who had undergone a total of 37 detrusor myectomies and 32 enterocystoplasties was performed. The patients were categorized into 6 diagnostic subsets representative of the clinical spectrum of indications for bladder augmentation. RESULTS: For most clinical indications detrusor myectomy offered comparable success or significant improvement in bladder function without incurring the significant complication rate of enterocystoplasty. CONCLUSIONS: Detrusor myectomy is a safe, successful method of bladder augmentation for most clinical indications. Myectomy does not hinder subsequent creation of an enterocystoplasty.

Bladder neck competency at rest in women with incontinence.

PURPOSE: We determine the presence of an open bladder neck during video urodynamic studies and relate that finding to the presence of stress urinary incontinence. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients presenting with urinary incontinence, voiding dysfunction or pelvic floor prolapse underwent video urodynamics. With the patient upright and after 200 ml. contrast material had been instilled into the bladder the bladder neck was viewed to determine if it was open or closed. At that point the abdominal leak point pressure was measured. RESULTS: Of 102 women, average age 56.5 years (range 31 to 82), 13% had an open bladder neck and demonstrable stress incontinence on video urodynamics with an average abdominal leak point pressure of 45 cm. water (range 26 to 90). Of those with stress incontinence on urodynamics 23% had an open bladder neck. No continent patient had an open bladder neck. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of an open bladder neck with the bladder filled to 200 ml. correlates strongly with the presence of stress incontinence.

Transvaginal urethrolysis for urethral obstruction after anti-incontinence surgery.

PURPOSE: Urethral obstruction following a stress incontinence procedure occurs in 5 to 20% of patients. We examine the success of transvaginal urethrolysis in resolving voiding dysfunction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective chart review was performed on 39 patients who had undergone transvaginal urethrolysis for urethral obstruction following an anti-incontinence procedure. Preoperatively, a history was taken, and pelvic examination and either video urodynamics or cystoscopy were done. RESULTS: All 39 patients complained of urge incontinence, 13% had urinary retention, 51% had incomplete bladder emptying and 36% voided to completion but had irritative voiding symptoms. Previous surgery included retropubic urethropexy in 41% of the cases, pubovaginal sling in 38% and bladder neck suspension in 21%. Mean length of followup after urethrolysis was 16 months. Of the 39 patients 33 (85%) had resolution of urge incontinence but 5 still required occasional intermittent catheterization. The remaining 6 patients had continued urge incontinence. An augmentation procedure was performed in 4 patients with improvement of symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Our data support transvaginal urethrolysis for the treatment of iatrogenic urethral obstruction. It is a rapid, effective and minimally invasive technique that should be considered if voiding dysfunction does not resolve spontaneously.

The use of the appendix as a continent catheterizable stoma.

PURPOSE: We review the results of 5 years of using the unmodified appendix for reconstruction of neobladders and native bladders, and describe the mechanism of continence. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between 1993 and 1997, 24 patients have undergone continent urinary diversion using the unaltered appendix. Median patient age at the time of surgery was 62 years. Patients were followed at the urological outpatient clinic for a mean of 18 months (range 7 to 47). Video urodynamic studies were performed once in the first 6 months postoperatively and repeated if there was any history of incontinence or bladder problems. RESULTS: Of the patients with an appendicovesicostomy onto the native bladder 80% were dry during the day and night. This figure was improved to 94% when 2 patients with incontinence catheterized more frequently. Patients with a neobladder were more likely to be continent and had a longer interval between catheterizations, which reflects the larger reservoir volume rather than better continence mechanism in these patients. The level of continence is at the appendiceal bladder junction in the native bladder and the appendicocecal junction in the neobladder, which is able to withstand reservoir pressures of 30 to 40 cm. water. Stress incontinence driven by abdominal pressure did not occur. Instead incontinence occurred when the bladder became over full and the pressure increased, or during an unstable contraction. CONCLUSIONS: The appendix does not need to be tunneled through the bladder wall to achieve satisfactory continence. In a low pressure reservoir continence may be achieved simply by anastomosing the appendix directly onto the bladder or leaving it in situ when creating a neobladder.

The incidence of Helicobacter pylori in patients with interstitial cystitis.

PURPOSE: The cause of interstitial cystitis is unknown. We evaluated the incidence of Helicobacter pylori antibodies in patients with interstitial cystitis to determine whether such infection may be a causative factor. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We obtained serum samples from 23 patients with interstitial cystitis and 23 control subjects. Samples were analyzed for the presence of H. pylori IgG antibodies. RESULTS: The incidence of positive tests for H. pylori antibodies was 22% in the interstitial cystitis group and 35% in controls. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of infection with H. pylori is not increased in interstitial cystitis, and so it is unlikely to be a causative factor.

A followup on transurethral collagen injection therapy for urinary incontinence.

PURPOSE: Transurethral collagen injection therapy has been used successfully in treating stress urinary incontinence due to intrinsic sphincter deficiency since United States Food and Drug Administration approval in October 1993. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Telephone interview and chart review were performed on 139 women with intrinsic sphincter deficiency documented using video urodynamics, of whom 73% had grade 3 incontinence (leakage without effort). Median followup was 18 months (range 6 to 36). Median patient age was 72 years. RESULTS: A total of 103 patients (74%) was substantially improved after collagen therapy, 29 (20%) were improved and 7 had no improvement. Of the substantially improved group 72% obtained continence after 2 or fewer injections. Of the patients 11% required a "booster" injection more than 6 months after initial treatment. Complications, such as hematuria, urinary tract infections or transient urinary retention, were rare. CONCLUSIONS: Our results confirm the safety and efficacy of transurethral collagen. Once continence is achieved further collagen therapy is rarely necessary.

Periurethral collagen injection for male and female sphincteric incontinence: indications, techniques, and result.

Intrinsic sphincter deficiency is characterized by a poorly functioning intrinsic urethral sphincter, which leaks urine at relatively low pressures. Patients with this sort of incontinence are candidates for collagen implant therapy. Collagen is injected in the region of the bladder neck with success, depending on the precise placement of the collagen. There is generally a need to implant more collagen into men. The percentage of patients showing improvement in their incontinence after therapy is 58-100%. Over time the collagen is absorbed and there is a need to repeat the treatment. Collagen increases the abdominal leak-point pressure without reducing the flow rate or increasing the residual volume. Treatment failure does not prevent the performance of other procedures.