Laser Treatments in Female Urinary Incontinence

Abstract

Noninvasive treatment is recommended as first line for female urinary incontinence (UI). However, surgical procedures are more likely to be implemented to cure UI but are associated with more adverse events. Less invasive operative mesh techniques are relatively effective, but not devoid of complications such as bleeding, bladder perforation, urethral injury, infection, and retention that may require mesh resection. In patients for whom the risks of anesthesia and surgery are too high, a minimally invasive approach is recommended, and further research is needed in terms of more compliant, less invasive, and low-cost methods for the treatment of stress UI and pelvic floor dysfunction. Contemporary scientific and technological breakthroughs have led to better clinical outcomes with minimally invasive procedures with shorter recovery times and lower implicated costs. In this sense, recent evidence supports laser treatment as an effective and compliant intervention for stress UI. In spite of promising initial results, there is still a need for long-term consistent evidence analyzing laser efficacy and safety in the treatment of female UI.