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The objective of this study was to compare the efficacy of porcine dermal implant injection (Permacol) and silicone injection (Macroplastique) in the treatment of female urodynamic stress incontinence (USI) in a prospective randomized trial. Fifty women with urodynamically proven stress incontinence were recruited and randomised to receive either Permacol or Macroplastique injection. Twenty-five patients were enrolled in each case. An International Continence Society (ICS) standard 1-h pad test was carried out prior to the injection and a subjective analysis of incontinence made using a Stamey scoring system. In addition, a Kings College Hospital Quality of Health Questionnaire (KCQ) was completed. The women were followed up at 6 weeks and 6 months and the same methods used to gauge the success or failure of the operation. Preoperatively there were no significant differences in pad losses, Stamey score or King's score between the two groups. The mean age of the women was 61 years (range 28-80 years). At 6 weeks there were significant reductions in the mean and median values in pad losses, Stamey score and King's score in both Permacol and Macroplastique patients but the effects were more pronounced in Permacol patients than Macroplastique patients. Of the Permacol patients, 64% were improved on quantified pad losses out of which 60% were dry whereas 54% of Macroplastique patients were improved on pad losses of which 41.6% were dry. Of the Permacol patients, 64% and 60% had reduction in Stamey and KCQ score, respectively, whereas Macroplastique patients had 46% reduction in one or more grades of Stamey scores and 42% reduction in KCQ scores. At 6 months the results in the Permacol patients appeared to be sustained but not for Macroplastique patients. This study has shown that Permacol injection when used as a urethral bulking agent appears to have a higher cure rate for urodynamic stress incontinence than Macroplastique and these results persist until the follow-up period of 6 months. The use of Permacol injection is an attractive alternative in the treatment of urodynamic stress incontinence.

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The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of different bowel symptoms (constipation, faecal incontinence and faecal evacuation dysfunction) and associated urinary symptoms in women attending health care services. All women attending colposcopy clinics and general gynaecology clinics in a district general hospital in the southwest of England were invited to participate in the study. In addition, women attending the local family planning clinic were also recruited. Women attending these clinics routinely completed a history sheet and were asked to complete the Birmingham Bowel and Urinary Symptoms Questionnaire. Two hundred women participated in the study: 116 (64.4%) had at least one bowel symptom from the list in the questionnaire and 57 (31.6%) of women thought they had a bowel problem but only 26 (14.4%) consulted their family doctor regarding the problem while four (2.2%) were referred for specialist opinion. Six were unsure about their bowel symptoms. There were 46 (25.5%) of women who had constipation, 99 (55%) had faecal incontinence and 97 (53.8%) complained of faecal evacuation dysfunction. Only 48 (26.6%) of women were free of any bowel complaint. One patient with faecal incontinence discussed her problem with her midwife but no further action was taken as she was too embarrassed to discuss it with her doctor. Seventy-eight (43.3%) of patients had urinary symptoms. Fifty-five (30.5%) thought they had a urinary problem but only 29 (16.1%) consulted their doctor and 17 (9.4%) were referred for specialist opinion. Sixty-one (33.8%) of those who admitted to have urinary incontinence also had faecal incontinence. Forty-nine (27.2%) of the patients were free of all symptoms. The mode of delivery as well as previous surgery did not have any influence on urinary incontinence nor on anal incontinence. This study has demonstrated a high prevalence of bowel symptoms in women attending health care services.

The objective of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of an implant of porcine dermis to augment the bladder in women with refractory overactive bladder syndrome (OAB). Twelve women underwent a Pelvicol bladder augmentation. A visual analogue score for severity of incontinence and a quality of life questionnaire was carried out pre-operatively and at 12 months post-operatively. Follow up cystoscopy was carried out in three women in addition. Three women were dry and cured; five women were significantly improved; two women were slightly improved and the procedure was unsuccessful in the remaining two women. There were no significant complications and voiding was spontaneous in every case. A bladder augmentation using porcine dermis may have a role in the surgical management of non-neuropathic women with OAB that has failed to respond to conservative therapy.