Editorial Comment

Abstract

Advances in surgical technique have greatly improved continence outcomes after radical prostatectomy. Unfortunately, severe and/or bothersome urinary incontinence does occur in some patients. In many cases, this can be unpredictable and a source of anxiety for patients contemplating prostate cancer surgery. Although other options have arisen to handle milder forms of postprostatectomy incontinence, artificial urethral sphincters have been a mainstay in the management of patients with the most severe symptoms. 1 Silva L.A. Andriolo R.B. Atallah A.N. et al. Surgery for stress urinary incontinence due to presumed sphincter deficiency after prostate surgery. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2011; 4 (CD008306) PubMed Google Scholar Safety and Efficacy of Periurethral Constrictor Implantation for the Treatment of Post–radical Prostatectomy IncontinenceUrologyVol. 79Issue 5PreviewTo assess safety and efficacy of the periurethral constrictor for the treatment of postprostatectomy urinary incontinence. Full-Text PDF ReplyUrologyVol. 79Issue 5PreviewWe truly appreciate your comments. We also believe that results assessment of the device implantation by means of validated questionnaires is needed. Achievement of continence is by itself the most simple and reliable way to define a “success,” but at the same time it risks being an excessively “mechanical” definition with respect to quality of life issues. Indeed, a score obtained from the assessment of urinary function allows for the correct definition of “success,” or not in patients who do not regain complete continence or who become perfectly dry but have an impaired quality of life because of urinary frequency or urgency. Full-Text PDF