Safety and Efficacy of Periurethral Constrictor Implantation for the Treatment of Post–radical Prostatectomy Incontinence

ObjectiveTo assess safety and efficacy of the periurethral constrictor for the treatment of postprostatectomy urinary incontinence.MethodsPeriurethral constrictor is a minimally invasive, low-cost (€2000) device based on an adjustable occlusive mechanism. From December 2004 to March 2010 the device was implanted in 66 patients with mild to severe incontinence (3 or more pads per day) through a 3- to 5-cm perineal incision. Median surgical time was 35 minutes (range 25-60). Discharge occurred on day 1 after removing the indwelling urethral catheter.ResultsIn 4 cases (6%), the device was removed because of infection/periurethral erosion. At 18 months, 62 patients were valuable; continence was recovered totally in 49 cases (79%), partially in 9 (15%) cases, and remained unchanged in 4 (6%). No one needed self-catheterization to empty the bladder.ConclusionPeriurethral constrictor improved continence in most of the patients. Nevertheless, a larger series and longer follow-up are needed to confirm safety and to test durability.