Future SCI investigations will be conducted to evaluate the potential benefits of even earlier SNM placement to progressively enhance pelvic organ functionality. This new approach may provide important clues required for assessing whether neuronal information is passed through the sympathetic trunk ganglion to the brain after complete SCI. Further investigations are needed to determine if functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) might be helpful for analyzing changes in brain function in patients with SNMs and those taking antimuscarinics.

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The evidence would suggest that in some cases incontinence can be prevented. Although the evidence base for UI is greater than that for FI, the conditions share many similarities with respect to risk and treatment, suggesting that similar benefits may derive from population-based prevention strategies. With primary prevention, actions taken early, even in the absence of incontinence, may avoid or delay its onset. There is also evidence that some risk factors for incontinence are modifiable, although not type specific, and can be reduced through preventive measures.

Introduction Successful outcomes have been reported for the treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) with the prostatic urethral lift (PUL) in a number of clinical investigations. Our aim was to investigate PUL outcomes in patients treated in a day-to-day clinical setting without the rigid exclusion criteria of clinical studies. Materials and methods We investigated the outcome of the PUL procedure at five German departments during the initial period when PUL was approved for the clinic (10/2012–06/2014). All candidates for transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) received PUL information and were given the choice of procedures. The only exclusion criterion was an obstructive median lobe. No patients were excluded because of high post-void residual volume (PVR), prostate size, retention history or LUTS oral therapy. Maximum urinary flow (Qmax), PVR, International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) and Quality of Life (QOL) were assessed at baseline, 1, 6, 12, and 24 months after surgery. Results Of 212 TURP candidates, 86 choose PUL. A mean of 3.8 (2–7) UroLift implants were implanted in patients of 38–85 years with a prostate size of 17–111 ml over 57 (42–90) min under general or local anesthesia. Thirty-eight (38.4%) patients had severe BPH obstruction and would have been denied PUL utilizing previously reported study criteria. Within 1 month 74 (86%) reported substantial symptom relief with significant improvements in Qmax, PVR, IPSS, and QOL ( p < 0.001) that was maintained within the follow-up. Sexual function including ejaculation was unchanged or improved. No Clavien–Dindo Grad ≥ 2 was reported postoperatively. Eleven (12.8%) patients were retreated over 2 years. Twelve (86%) of 14 patients presenting with chronic urinary retention were catheter free at last follow-up. Conclusion PUL is a promising surgical technique that may alleviate LUTS, even in patients with severe obstruction.

Voiding dysfunction comprises a variety of disorders, including stress urinary incontinence and overactive bladder, and affects millions of men and women worldwide. Erectile dysfunction (ED) also decreases quality of life for millions of men, as well as for their partners. Advanced age and diabetes are common comorbidities that can exacerbate and negatively impact upon the development of these disorders. Therapies that target the pathophysiology of these conditions to halt progression are not currently available. However, stem cell therapy could fill this therapeutic void. Stem cells can reduce inflammation, prevent fibrosis, promote angiogenesis, recruit endogenous progenitor cells, and differentiate to replace damaged cells. Adult multipotent stem cell therapy, in particular, has shown promise in case reports and preclinical animal studies. Stem cells have also enabled advances in urological tissue engineering by facilitating ex vivo construction of bladder wall and urethral tissue (using a patient's own cells) prior to transplantation. More recent studies have focused on bioactive factor secretion and homing of stem cells. In the future, clinicians are likely to utilize allogeneic stem cell sources, intravenous systemic delivery, and ex vivo cell enhancement to treat voiding dysfunction and ED.