Study Type – Therapy (outcomes research)
Level of Evidence 2c OBJECTIVE To present a prospective long‐term evaluation of the bone‐anchored male sling (InVanceTM, American Medical Systems, Minnetonka, MN, USA) for patients with moderate to severe stress urinary incontinence (SUI) after prostate surgery PATIENTS AND METHODS Forty‐five patients had a male sling implanted for SUI after prostate surgery. The evaluation before and after surgery included a complete history and physical examination, various questionnaires (American Urological Association Symptom Score, University of California Los Angeles/RAND prostate index), cysto‐urethroscopy, International Continence Society (ICS) 1‐h pad test and a urodynamic study. The follow‐up assessments were at 2, 6 and 12 months after surgery, and yearly thereafter. The success rate was defined as the percentage of patients ‘dry’ and ‘improved’. RESULTS The median (range) follow‐up was 36 (2–64) months. Twelve patients (27%) had previous adjuvant radiotherapy. Eighteen patients (40%) had moderate SUI (two or three pads/day) and 27 (60%) had severe SUI (more than three pads/day). All preoperative ICS 1‐h pad tests were positive. The success rate was 76%; 16 patients were dry (36%), 18 were improved (one or two pads/day, 40%) and in 11 the sling was a failure (24%); 76% of ICS 1‐h pad tests were negative after surgery. The postoperative urodynamic study showed no signs of bladder outlet obstruction. In all, 72% of patients were satisfied/very satisfied with the surgery and 86% considered themselves cured/almost cured. The success rate was not affected by the presence of previous radiotherapy or the severity of SUI. Ten patients had perineal numbness, but in all it resolved within 1–3 months. There was one mesh infection which required its removal. There was no urethral erosion. CONCLUSION Compared to previous studies, the InVance male sling had a good success rate for moderate and severe SUI, with a median follow‐up of 36 months. The results did not differ for moderate or severe SUI or with the presence of previous radiotherapy.

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