Experience after 12 Cases with the Adjustable Transobturator Male Sling for Postprostatectomy Stress Urinary Incontinence

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was the prospective evaluation of the efficacy of the adjustable transobturator male system (ArgusT(R)) for the treatment of postprostatectomy stress urinary incontinence (PPI). METHODS: Twelve consecutive patients were treated with ArgusT system for PPI. All patients were comprehensively evaluated preoperatively and after 3 and 6 months regarding daily pad use, residual urine, Incontinence Quality of Life Scale (I-QoL) score and International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire Short Form (ICIQ-SF) score. Cure rate was defined as no pad use or one pad (used for security reasons). RESULTS: At 3 and 6 months, we achieved a cure rate of 91%. The mean number of pads per day decreased from 4 +/- 1.3 to 0.7 +/- 0.9 and 0.5 +/- 0.9 after 3 and 6 months, respectively (p<0.001). Only one patient showed no significant improvement. Compared with baseline, the mean ICIQ-SF score dropped from 17.3 +/- 2.8 to 2.7 +/- 3.8 and 2.4 +/- 3.8, at 3 and 6 months, respectively (p<0.001). The mean I-QoL score also improved significantly from 53.1 +/- 20.3 to 99.5 +/- 11 and 96.8 +/- 12.5 after 3 and 6 months, respectively (p<0.001). Postoperative acute urinary retention was seen in one patient. CONCLUSIONS: In our early experience, the ArgusT system offers effective, safe and minimally invasive treatment option for PPI.