Bulkamid® injection in men: Cadaver study of operative technique and putative mechanism of action

Objective: Post-prostatectomy incontinence (PPI) is relatively common and of variable degree. Treatment of small-volume persistent PPI with a male sling or an artificial urinary sphincter is overly invasive, and the concept of intraurethral injection is very appealing in this situation. Bulkamid® is a nanoparticulate polyacrylamide and water polymer gel which is being used successfully in female stress urinary incontinence. We assessed the feasibility and effects of a four-point intraurethral technique on maximum urethral pressure (MUP) in male cadavers. Methods: Urethral pressure profile (UPP) was measured twice on two male fresh-frozen cadaver models before and after a four-point injection of 2 mL of Bulkamid® intraurethrally at the level of the sphincter in 0.5 mL aliquots using a 21Ch cystoscope with a 12° telescope and a 23G needle. Results: A clear UPP trace was recordable in both cadavers. The mean MUP at baseline was 38 cm H2O, and the mean MUP following Bulkamid® intraurethral injection increased to 55 cm H2O. Conclusions: Bulkamid® intraurethral injection in male cadavers is a simple technique that increases MUP. This increase in MUP may allow for treatment of low-volume PPI in men following prostate cancer treatment and warrants further study in the clinical situation. Level of evidence: Level 4.

Urethral pressure profile assessment after artificial urinary sphincter implantation (FlowSecure™ and AMS-800™): A case series

The AMS-800™ artificial urinary sphincter has become the ‘gold standard’ in the treatment of male stress urinary incontinence. In 2006, the novel artificial urinary sphincter FlowSecure™ containing a stress relief balloon providing low cuff pressures at rest with conditional pressure elevation during periods of stress has been launched. We assessed the intraurethral pressure in the cuff area of the AMS-800 and the FlowSecure by urethral pressure profile in four patients each. Urethral pressure profile was performed at rest and during coughing. In addition, continence situation and patient satisfaction after artificial urinary sphincter implantation was assessed. At rest, median pressure in the cuff region was 74 (38–117, FlowSecure) cm H2O and 102 (95–110, AMS-800) cm H2O. During coughing, pressure peaks rose to 135 (54–162, FlowSecure) cm H2O and 202 (128–216, AMS-800) cm H2O. Median pad usage before artificial urinary sphincter implantation in the FlowSecure and the AMS-800 group was 4 (3–4) and 4.5 (2–6) pads/24 h, respectively. At the time of urodynamic investigation, median pad usage declined to 1.5 (0–4) pads/24 h in the FlowSecure and to 1 (1–2) pads/24 h in the AMS-800 group. Seven of eight patients reported on a satisfactory quality of life, and one patient remained unhappy after FlowSecure implantation. It remains unclear if the trade-off in favour of lower cuff pressures, and consecutively lower intraurethral pressures, holds truly long-term benefits regarding device revision, explantation and patient satisfaction.

Uroneurology

The function of the pelvic organs, including the lower urinary tract (LUT), is controlled by a complex network of nerves. This leaves patients with neurologic disease vulnerable to LUT and pelvic organ dysfunction. Physicians often come across urogenital complaints in their patients with neurologic disease, the symptoms of which can result in significant distress and loss of dignity and quality of life. Due to the health and economic burden that accompanies neurogenic pelvic organ dysfunction, it is important for clinicians to understand the common forms of dysfunction, essential investigations, and modes of management. This chapter covers bladder dysfunction from a physician’s perspective. Topics include neurologic control of the LUT, large bowel, and sexual functions; male and female sexual response; neurogenic bladder dysfunction and its management; diagnostic evaluation; management of neurogenic sexual dysfunction; management of erectile dysfunction; ejaculatory dysfunction; sexual dysfunction in women; and fecal incontinence. Figures illustrate efferent innervation of the LUT, neurologic detrusor overactivity, a urethral pressure profile in a patient with Fowler syndrome, an example bladder diary, an example bladder scan, and normal and obstructed flow patterns. Tables list common causes of injury at the suprapontine, suprasacral, and infrasacral levels and storage and voiding systems. This chapter contains 6 highly rendered figures, 2 tables, 53 references, 1 teaching slide set, and 5 MCQs.