Did you know that male urinary incontinence is a problem that affects millions of men around the world?

Urge urinary incontinence is one of the most frequent complications of prostate surgery, whether due to malignancy or benign conditions; however, there are other causes related to the weakening of the pelvic floor muscles, urinary tract infections, stress, alcohol and caffeine consumption. Since then it has been classified as a problem that can affect the quality of life of men who suffer from it, generating shame, anxiety, social isolation and problems in sexual life.

What options do we have to solve this problem?

The artificial urinary sphincter has been the gold standard for the treatment of the most severe cases of urinary incontinence with a success rate of 90%. Recently, new therapeutic options have been developed in patients with mild urinary incontinence, ranging from kegel exercises to pelvic floor rehabilitation, drug treatment and electrostimulation. Currently, there are urethral slings or slings to provide an option for men with stress urinary incontinence as an alternative to the urinary sphincter. They are devices designed to reposition the proximal urethra and bladder neck by providing support that strengthens sphincter function. Definitive resolution of urinary incontinence improves quality of life and patient satisfaction, urethral slings are available and effective they basically act like a hammock, repositioning and supporting the urethra over the pubis to help restore normal bladder control .

Do you know the current devices to treat mild urinary incontinence?

Suburethral mesh consists of a tape or band of synthetic material that is placed around the urethra, near the base of the penis, to increase support and pressure on the urinary tract. They are especially indicated after prostate surgeries in which the entire gland is removed due to cancer. It is a minimally invasive procedure, which offers a quick recovery, where the surgeon makes a small incision in the perineum and passes the tape under the urethra, until it is fixed in the pubic bones. The best known devices are: The remeex system, the invance sling, the argus system, and the advance sling, the main objective is to offer a suspension mechanism and a non-obstructive functional therapeutic approach that adjusts to the change in anatomy after of surgery for prostate cancer or another cause of organic origin. Finally and even more novel is the atoms mesh, whose main advantage is the possibility of adjusting it on an outpatient basis at any time, it has a pillow that is placed under the urethra that can be filled with liquid to a greater or lesser degree to perfectly adapt the pressure on the urethra.

Male urinary incontinence is a common but treatable problem, it should not be a reason for shame or suffering. If you think you may have this condition or if you have already been diagnosed, we recommend that you consult your doctor so that he or she can guide you on the most appropriate treatment for you. Remember that taking care of your health is taking care of your well-being.

REFERENCES:

  • Carson, Culley C. esfínter urinario artificial: Estatus actual y futuras indicaciones. Asian Journal of Andrology 22(2):p 154-157, marzo–abril de 2020. | DOI: 10.4103/aja.aja_5_20
  • Benguria-Arrate G, Galnares-Cordero L. ATOMs – Adjustable Transobturator Male System. Dispositivo para incontinencia de orina. Servicio de Evaluación de Tecnologías Sanitarias del País Vasco; 2017
  • Retrourethral Transobturator Sling for the Treatment of Male Stress Urinary Incontinence After Prostate Surgery revista chilena de urología | volumen 80 | no 1 año 2015