Sphincter Incontinence Research Articles

Artificial urinary sphincter and female stress urinary incontinence over the past 50 years: a narrative review.

The aim of the present report was to provide an overview of the use of the artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) in adult females with stress urinary incontinence (SUI) over the past 50 years. A literature search was conducted in December 2022 and January 2023 using the MEDLINE and Embase databases, screening for randomized controlled trials (RCTs), prospective and retrospective series and reviews on AUS. Only articles published in English or French were included. The search strategy involved a free text protocol and the narrative review reporting checklist was completed. The AUS is a device used over the past 50 years for SUI caused by intrinsic sphincter deficiency (ISD). It has the theoretical ability to simulate the function of a biological urinary sphincter. Although the role of the AUS for females with ISD remains heterogeneous from one part of the world to the other, the existing literature demonstrates that AUS yields satisfactory functional outcomes in female SUI patients, comparable or better to what has been reported in male AUS series. Hence, the main barrier to its adoption has so far been the technical challenge of its implantation at the bladder neck. Regarding the results of AUS implantation in females, we included in this review 3 reviews, retrospective studies and 1 prospective study. In recent years, robotic techniques of female AUS implantation have spread significantly with promising outcomes including numerous reports suggesting that it may decrease its morbidity. In the near future, the development of electromechanical devices may further expand the role of AUS in the management of female SUI. While the use of AUS in female patients provides excellent functional outcomes, it has been limited to scarce centers. However, due to the rise of minimally invasive approaches, it has started spreading again over the past few years. The future of AUS is likely to be bright, fed by technological advances of the device and robotic surgical system, high level of evidence studies and joint efforts of the urological community to facilitate its diffusion across the world.

Prevalência de quedas em pessoas idosas e associação com fatores clínicos funcionais

Objective: To analyze the prevalence of two or more falls in the elderly in the last year and its association with functional clinical factors. Method: Cross-sectional and quantitative study, carried out with 670 hospitalized elderly people, in Paraná (2020-2021). Sociodemographic data were collected and the Clinical-Functional Vulnerability Index (IVCF-20) instrument was applied, assessing certain health factors. The dependent variable of the study was the occurrence of two or more falls in the last year. Data were analyzed using the chi-square test and logistic regression. Results: There was a predominance of males, aged between 60 and 74 years, married or in a stable relationship and with 1 to 4 years of study. The prevalence of two or more falls in the last year was 29.4%. Associated health factors were hearing impairment (OR= 1.77, 95%CI= 1.04-3.00, p= 0.033), negative self-perception of health (OR= 1.58, 95%CI= 1.09-2.30, p= 0.015), sphincter incontinence (OR= 1.62, 95%CI= 1.10-2.38, p= 0.014) and pre-frailty (OR= 2.72, 95%CI= 1.37-5.42) and frailty (OR= 5.36, 95%CI= 2.73-10.5, p<0.001). Conclusion: The prevalence of falls was high and was associated with hearing impairment, negative self-perception of health, sphincter incontinence and frailty.

HTLV-1-associated myelopathy in Spain

BackgroundHTLV-1 infection is a neglected disease. Over 10 million people are infected worldwide, with hot spots of high endemicity across all continents. Roughly 5% of HTLV-1 carriers develop HTLV-1-associated myelopathy (HAM), a progressive subacute neurological disabling disease. MethodsWe report the main features of patients diagnosed with HAM up to date in Spain, a non-endemic country with a relatively high migrant flow from Latin America and Equatorial Africa, where HTLV-1 is endemic. ResultsA total of 451 cases of HTLV-1 had been recorded in Spain until the end of year 2022. HAM had been diagnosed in 58 (12.9%). The current incidence is of 2-3 new cases per year. Women represent 76%. Mean age at diagnosis is 49 years-old. Nearly 60% are Latin Americans. Although sexual transmission is the most likely route of HTLV-1 acquisition, up to 6 individuals had been infected following solid organ transplantation. Rapid onset myelopathy developed in all but one of these transplant recipients from three HTLV-1-positive donors. HTLV-1 subtype 1a transcontinental was the only variant recognized in HAM patients. HTLV-1 proviral load was significantly greater in HAM patients than in asymptomatic HTLV-1 carriers (677 vs 104 HTLV-1 DNA copies/104 PBMC; p=0.012). Symptom relief medications and physiotherapy have been the only treatment providing some benefit to HAM patients. Neither significant clinical nor virological efficacy was noticed using antiretrovirals in at least 9 HAM patients. Two thirds of HAM patients ended up in a wheelchair and with urinary/fecal sphincter incontinence. ConclusionHAM is the most frequent clinical manifestation of HTLV-1 infection in Spain, a non-endemic country. Middle aged women migrants from Latin America are the most frequently affected. Two thirds end up in a wheelchair despite using antiretroviral therapy.

A clinical case of anosognosia in a CADASIL disease.

IntroductionCADASIL (Cerebral Autosomal Dominant Arteriopathy with Subcortical Infarcts and Leukoencephalopathy) is a cerebrovascular disease, tht appears in 1.98/100,000. It´s caused by a mutation of the Notch3 gene and is characterized by accumulation of granular osmiophilic material in the middle layer of the small and median sized cerebral arteries.Sypmtoms are migraine, recurrent cerebral ischemic episodes, dementia, neuropsychiatric disorders (anosognosia, character disorders, apathy and cognitive impairment). It usually appears between 30-60 years, although there is an important variability. There is no curative treatment, only palliative.ObjectivesClinical review of anosognosia and its presence in CADASIL disease.MethodsClinical case and literatura review.ResultsWe presented the clinical case of a 68-year-old man, who was diagnosed with CADASIL after a stroke 3 years earlier. In his family, his brother was diagnosed also with CADASIL. The patient had previously presented disturbances in impulse control (hyperorality) and important executive failures. He currently presented anosognosia, deficits in verbal memory, spatial perception and executive functions, in addition to behavioral alterations and apathy. Due to these deficits he was prohibited from certain activities (driving, hunting).The patient was not aware of these deficits and becouse of his “no knowledge of his illness”, he disagreed with these prohibitions, so he showed rage and anger at the impotence of not understanding why certain actions are prohibited.In the consultation, mnesic errors and in naming objects were also objectified, for which it was recommended to carry out cognitive stimulation on a daily basis. In addition, he presented failures of sphincter incontinence, especially of urine and occasionally also of the anal sphincter. He had previously had episodes of myoclonus or fasciculations.A genetic study by massive sequencing confirmed the heterozygous presence of the pathogenic variant c.1819C>T p.(Arg607Cys) in the NOTCH3 gene, a CADASIL disease.ConclusionsThe anosognosia that many patients with CADASIL disease present constitutes a problem because it contributes to the delay in consultation and, therefore, the delay in the adequate diagnostic approach, therapeutic possibilities and family genetic counseling. Due in part to anosognosia, CADASIL is considered an underdiagnosed entity. Due to the lack of awareness and the consequent lack of recognition of the deficit, these people are often seen as stubborn and difficult to deal with by people in their immediate environment.In addition, there is general difficulty in the rehabilitation process, since patients do not think the neccesity to be treated. This can generate frustration and despair both in their relatives and in the health personnel.For all these reasons, both in anosognosia and in CADASIL disease, adequate psychological support is needed for both those affected and their families.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared

The Effect of Tissue Stromal Vascular Fraction as Compared to Cellular Stromal Vascular Fraction to Treat Anal Sphincter Incontinence.

The long-term prognosis of current treatments for anal sphincter incontinence (ASI) is poor. Here, we explored the efficacy of tissue adipose stromal vascular fraction SVF (tSVF) on ASI and compared it to that of cellular SVF (cSVF). We then investigated possible mechanisms. Rat cSVF and tSVF were isolated and labeled with DIL. One day after modeling, three groups received phosphate-buffered saline (PBS), cSVF, tSVF, respectively. The control group received nil modeling nor any treatments. The effect was assessed by function test for anal pressure and electromyography, and staining for fiber content, proliferation and differentiation at day 5 and day 10. cSVF injection resulted in faster healing than tSVF. The cSVF group showed significant improvement on anal pressure on day 10. For the electromyography test, cSVF showed significant improvement for the frequencies on day 10, and for the peak values on both time points, while tSVF showed significant improvement for the peak values on day 10. The two SVF both alleviated fibrosis. Immunofluorescence tracing identified differentiation of some injected cells towards myosatellite cells and smooth muscle cells in both SVF groups. For all the tests, the tSVF group tends to have similar or lower effects than the cSVF group with no significant difference. cSVF and tSVF are both safe and effective in treating ASI, while the effect of cSVF is slighter higher than tSVF.

A Preclinical Validation of Iron Oxide Nanoparticles for Treatment of Perianal Fistulizing Crohn's Disease.

Fistulizing anoperineal lesions are severe complications of Crohn’s disease (CD) that affect quality of life with a long-term risk of anal sphincter destruction, incontinence, permanent stoma, and anal cancer. Despite several surgical procedures, they relapse in about two-thirds of patients, mandating innovative treatments. Ultrasmall particles of iron oxide (USPIO) have been described to achieve in vivo rapid healing of deep wounds in the skin and liver of rats thanks to their nanobridging capability that could be adapted to fistula treatment. Our main purpose was to highlight preclinical data with USPIO for the treatment of perianal fistulizing CD. Twenty male Sprague Dawley rats with severe 2,4,6-trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid solution (TNBS)-induced proctitis were operated to generate two perianal fistulas per rat. At day 35, two inflammatory fistulas were obtained per rat and perineal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed. After a baseline MRI, a fistula tract was randomly drawn and topically treated either with saline or with USPIO for 1 min (n = 17 for each). The rats underwent a perineal MRI on postoperative days (POD) 1, 4, and 7 and were sacrificed for pathological examination. The primary outcome was the filling or closure of the fistula tract, including the external or internal openings. USPIO treatment allowed the closure and/or filling of all the treated fistulas from its application until POD 7 in comparison with the control fistulas (23%). The treatment with USPIO was safe, permanently closed the fistula along its entire length, including internal and external orifices, and paved new avenues for the treatment of perianal fistulizing Crohn’s disease.

COVID-19 Signs and Symptom Clusters in Long-Term Care Facility Residents: Data from the GeroCovid Observational Study

Background: Long-term care facility (LTCF) residents often present asymptomatic or paucisymptomatic features of SARS-CoV-2 infection. We aimed at investigating signs/symptoms, including their clustering on SARS-CoV-2 infection and mortality rates associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection in LTCF residents. Methods: This is a cohort study of 586 aged ≥ 60 year-old residents at risk of or affected with COVID-19 enrolled in the GeroCovid LTCF network. COVID-19 signs/symptom clusters were identified using cluster analysis. Cluster analyses associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection and mortality were evaluated using logistic regression and Cox proportional hazard models. Results: Cluster 1 symptoms (delirium, fever, low-grade fever, diarrhea, anorexia, cough, increased respiratory rate, sudden deterioration in health conditions, dyspnea, oxygen saturation, and weakness) affected 39.6% of residents and were associated with PCR swab positivity (OR = 7.21, 95%CI 4.78–10.80; p < 0.001). Cluster 1 symptoms were present in deceased COVID-19 residents. Cluster 2 (increased blood pressure, sphincter incontinence) and cluster 3 (new-onset cognitive impairment) affected 20% and 19.8% of residents, respectively. Cluster 3 symptoms were associated with increased mortality (HR = 5.41, 95%CI 1.56–18.8; p = 0.008), while those of Cluster 2 were not associated with mortality (HR = 0.82, 95%CI 0.26–2.56; p = 730). Conclusions: Our study highlights that delirium, fever, and low-grade fever, alone or in clusters should be considered in identifying and predicting the prognosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection in older LTCF patients.

The Effect of Mesenchymal Stem Cells, Adipose Tissue Derived Stem Cells, and Cellular Stromal Vascular Fraction on the Repair of Acute Anal Sphincter Injury in Rats.

Background: Anal sphincter incontinence (ASI) can cause a serious decline in the quality of life and can cause a socioeconomic burden. Studies have shown that bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) have significant therapeutic effects on ASI, but the cost and risk of MSC harvest limit their further application. In contrast, adipose tissue derived stem cells (ADSC) and cellular stromal vascular fraction (CSVF) as stem cell sources have multipotency and the advantage of easy harvest. Objective: Here we aim to investigate the effects of ADSC and CSVF on treating ASI and compare them to that of bone marrow MSC. Methods: Bone marrow MSC, ADSC, and CSVF were obtained and labeled with green fluorescent protein (GFP), and CSVF was labeled with DIL. Sprague Dawley (SD) rats were divided into 5 groups. Four groups were injected with 0.2 mL phosphate buffer saline (PBS), 1 × 107/0.2 mL of MSC, ADSC, or CSVF, respectively, after model establishment. The control group received no treatment. The repair was assessed by anal functional tests and immunostaining on day 5 and day 10 after injection. Results: MSC, ADSC, and CSVF significantly promoted tissue repair and the recovery of muscle contraction and electromyographic activity in ASI. The generation of myosatellite cells by injected MSC, ADSC, and CSVF was found in the wounded area. On day 5, CSVF showed highest therapeutic effect, while on day 10, MSC and ADSC showed higher therapeutic effects than CSVF. When comparing the effects of MSC and ADSC, ADSC was slightly better than MSC in the indexes of anal pressure, etc. Conclusion: ADSC and CVSF are alternative stem cell sources for ASI repair.

Analysis of the factors affecting the state of the rectal closure system in ostomy patients at the stages of surgical rehabilitation

There are few publications in scientific literature devoted to the assessment of the rectal closure apparatus at the stages of surgical rehabilitation of ostomy patients. Aim of the study was to investigate the factors influencing the change in the functional activity of the rectal closure apparatus in patients with intestinal stomas. Material and methods . A single- center retrospective and prospective analysis of the results of changes in the function of the rectum closure system in 83 patients before and after reconstructive operation was performed. For the period from 2016 to 2018, 42 (50.6 %) men and 41 (49.4 %) women were examined, the average age in the group was 51.8 ± 12.6 years. Results and discussion . In all ostomy patients, anal sphincter incontinence was revealed. In this case, the relationship between the degree of impaired functional activity of the closure system of rectum, the duration of stoma wearing, and the age of the patient was determined. Conclusions . An analysis of the results allows us to evaluate the dynamics of the restoration of the function of the rectum closure apparatus and determine the optimal time for performing the restorative intervention from the standpoint of prophylaxis of dysfunction of the rectum closure system.

Treatment of chronic anal fissure botulinum toxin type A 40 U in comparison with lateral subcutaneous sphincterotomy (NCT03855046)

AIM: to improve the results of chronic anal fissure treatment.PATIENTS AND METHODS: the prospective randomized study included 176 patients divided in two groups. Eighty-eight patients underwent fissure excision in combination with injection of botulinum toxin type A (incobotulinum toxin) into the internal anal sphincter (main group, BTA), and 88 patients underwent anal fissure excision in combination with lateral subcutaneous sphincterotomy (control group, LIS).RESULTS: on the 30th day after surgery, spasm of internal anal sphincter, according to profilometry, persisted in 14.8% of patients of the main group (BTA) and 22.7% of patients in the control group (LSS) (p = 0.18), and on the 60th day in 20.4% and 14.8% of patients, respectively (p = 0.32). On the 60th day after surgery, the postoperative wound did not epithelialize in 14% of patients in the BTA group and 1% of the LSS group (p = 0.0006). On the 30th day after surgery, complaints of incontinence were noted by 32% of patients in the BTA group and 31% in the LSS group (p = 0.87), on the 60th day — 7% and 11% of patients, respectively (p = 0.29). The intensity of pain after surgery in the compared groups did not differ both after defecation and during the day (p > 0.05). Expansion of the surgery volume increases the chance of developing temporary anal sphincter incontinence (ASI) by 2.44 times on the 30th day of observation (p = 0.01) and by 3 times — on day 60 (p = 0.04). The use of BTA as a method of internal anal sphincter relaxation increases the chance of slowing down the epithelization of the postoperative wound by 13.7 times [p = 0.01], and the expansion of the surgery volume — by 3.47 times [p = 0.03].CONCLUSION: the use 40 U of botulinum toxin type A after anal fissure excision is not inferior to lateral subcutaneous sphincterotomy in elimination of spasm internal anal sphincter with a comparable incidence of temporary anal sphincter incontinence within 2 months after surgery. Neurotoxin serves as an alternative to sphincterotomy, however, in some cases, it requires the addition of a agent containing human recombinant epidermal growth factor to the postoperative management of patients.

Dorsal spine intradural extramedullary hemangiopericytoma: a case report

Introduction: Hemangiopericytomas are rare CNS Neoplasms constituting <1% of CNS tumours. They are more commonly seen in cranium than in spine where they present as Intradural extramedullary in location. They rarely metastasize to Lung and Bone.World Health Organization Classification of Tumors of the Central Nervous System (CNS WHO) assigned the combined term solitary fibrous tumor/ hemangiopericytoma (SFT/HPC) to such lesions in 2016 due to their same genetic makeup. Case report: Our case is about a 61-year-old diabetic male who presented with insidious onset, gradually progressive thoracic backache and asymmetric weakness with tightness and numbness of both lower limbs for last 6 months with no sphincter incontinence and bed bound for last 15 days. Clinically he had asymmetric spastic paraparesis of lower limb. His MRI Dorsal spine showed a 1.5 ґ 2 cm heterogeneously contrast enhancing Intradural lesion at D6-D7 compressing the cord from dorsolaterally with extensive cord edema from C5 to L2. Preoperative diagnosis of Meningioma/ Metastasis was made and patient underwentD5-D7 laminectomy and tumour excision. Intraoperative findings, there was no dural attachment, there were multiple tortuous blood vessels overlying greyish pink, fleshy, suckable, highly vascular, capsulated tumor posterolateral to cord. The superior aspect of tumor was adherent to cord with no clear interface. Tumor was seen separate from Left D7 nerve root. Post operatively patient improved symptomatically and neurologically. His HPE was suggestive of Hemangiopericytoma WHO Grade II (IHC markers CD34 and CD 31 was positive and KI 67% index of 10-15%). Patient has been on follow up and planned for metastatic workup. Conclusion: Spinal Hemangiopericytoma are rare disease with nonspecific radiological features making preoperative diagnosis difficult. Differential diagnosis of hemangiopericytoma should be kept in case of atypical and high - grade radiological features. Gross total resection without compromising the neurological status should be the goal to prevent local recurrence. Proper consensus regarding the follow up and adjuvant therapies of spinal Hemangiopericytoma are still lacking.

Evaluation of Fistulotomy with Immediate Sphincteric Reconstruction in the Treatment of High Transsphincteric Perianal Fistula

Abstract Background High perianal fistula treatment remains challenging, mainly due to the variability in success and recurrence rates as well as continence impairment risks. So far, no procedure can be considered the gold standard for surgical treatment. Yet, strong efforts to identify effective and complication-free surgical options are ongoing. Fistulotomy can be considered the best perianal fistula treatment option, providing a perfect surgical field view, allowing direct access to the source of chronic inflammation. Controversy exists concerning the risk of continence impairment associated with fistulotomy. The present study aimed to assess the outcomes of fistulotomy with immediate sphincteric reconstruction regaring fistula recurrence, incontinence, and patient satisfaction. Methods This interventional study was performed at the General Surgery Department of Zagazig University Hospital during the period from July 2018 to December 2019 on 24 patients with a clinical diagnosis of high transsphincteric fistula-in-ano. The fistulous tract was laid open over the probe placed in the tract. After the fistula tract had been laid open, the tract was curetted and examined for secondary extensions. Then, suturing muscles to muscles, including the internal and external sphincters, by transverse mattress sutures. Results Our study showed that 2 patients develop incontinence to flatus ∼ 8.3%.and only one patient develop incontinence to loose stool, 4.2%. Complete healing was achieved in 83% and recurrence was 16.6%. Conclusion Fistulotomy with immediate sphincteric reconstruction is considered to be an effective option in the management of high perianal fistula, with low morbidity and high healing rate with acceptable continence state.

Cell Therapy for Anal Sphincter Incontinence: Where Do We Stand?

Anal sphincter incontinence is a chronic disease, which dramatically impairs quality of life and induces high costs for the society. Surgery, considered as the best curative option, shows a disappointing success rate. Stem/progenitor cell therapy is pledging, for anal sphincter incontinence, a substitute to surgery with higher efficacy. However, the published literature is disparate. Our aim was to perform a review on the development of cell therapy for anal sphincter incontinence with critical analyses of its pitfalls. Animal models for anal sphincter incontinence were varied and tried to reproduce distinct clinical situations (acute injury or healed injury with or without surgical reconstruction) but were limited by anatomical considerations. Cell preparations used for treatment, originated, in order of frequency, from skeletal muscle, bone marrow or fat tissue. The characterization of these preparations was often incomplete and stemness not always addressed. Despite a lack of understanding of sphincter healing processes and the exact mechanism of action of cell preparations, this treatment was evaluated in 83 incontinent patients, reporting encouraging results. However, further development is necessary to establish the correct indications, to determine the most-suited cell type, to standardize the cell preparation method and to validate the route and number of cell delivery.

Myogenic Cell Transplantation in Genetic and Acquired Diseases of Skeletal Muscle.

This article will review myogenic cell transplantation for congenital and acquired diseases of skeletal muscle. There are already a number of excellent reviews on this topic, but they are mostly focused on a specific disease, muscular dystrophies and in particular Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. There are also recent reviews on cell transplantation for inflammatory myopathies, volumetric muscle loss (VML) (this usually with biomaterials), sarcopenia and sphincter incontinence, mainly urinary but also fecal. We believe it would be useful at this stage, to compare the same strategy as adopted in all these different diseases, in order to outline similarities and differences in cell source, pre-clinical models, administration route, and outcome measures. This in turn may help to understand which common or disease-specific problems have so far limited clinical success of cell transplantation in this area, especially when compared to other fields, such as epithelial cell transplantation. We also hope that this may be useful to people outside the field to get a comprehensive view in a single review. As for any cell transplantation procedure, the choice between autologous and heterologous cells is dictated by a number of criteria, such as cell availability, possibility of in vitro expansion to reach the number required, need for genetic correction for many but not necessarily all muscular dystrophies, and immune reaction, mainly to a heterologous, even if HLA-matched cells and, to a minor extent, to the therapeutic gene product, a possible antigen for the patient. Finally, induced pluripotent stem cell derivatives, that have entered clinical experimentation for other diseases, may in the future offer a bank of immune-privileged cells, available for all patients and after a genetic correction for muscular dystrophies and other myopathies.

Possibility of osteopathic correction inclusion in the complex treatment of anal incontinence in teenagers

Introduction. Anal incontinence (insufficiency of the anal sphincter) is a disease in which there is an uncontrolled discharge of intestinal contents through the anal canal when it is impossible to keep the episode of defecation to an acceptable place, which is a socially significant problem. Patients suffering from anal incontinence experience a feeling of psychoemotional inferiority and are often socially maladjusted. Insufficiency of the anal sphincter is a widespread pathology. The course of therapy is, as a rule, complex, and usually includes the use of medications, cleansing enemas, as well as non-drug methods of treatment (exercise therapy, massage, physiotherapy). At the same time, information on the possibility of including such a method of non-drug treatment as osteopathic correction in the complex therapy of anal incontinence in the available literature has not been found.The aim of the research was to study the possibility of including osteopathic correction in the complex treatment of anal sphincter insufficiency in teenagers.Materials and methods. The study involved 32 teenagers with functional anal sphincter incontinence, aged 14–17 years, undergoing treatment in the department of surgery. The patients were divided into 2 groups by the method of simple randomization — the main group (16 people, they received osteopathic correction in addition to the standard treatment) and the control group (16 people, they received only the standard treatment). At the beginning and at the end of the study there were assessed the osteopathic status and the disease severity using the Wexner scale and the Browning–Parks scale. The obtained results were analyzed by methods of nonparametric statistics. Results. It was found that the inclusion of osteopathic correction in the complex treatment of teenagers with anal sphincter insufficiency is accompanied by a statistically significant (p<0,05) decrease in the severity of the disease. It was revealed that children suffering from anal sphincter insufficiency are characterized by a high frequency of detection of regional (pelvic region, lumbar region) and local (some skull sutures, rectum, ascending and descending colon) somatic dysfunctions. After osteopathic correction, the frequency of detecting regional and local dysfunctions in teenagers is statistically significantly lower (p<0,05) compared with children who did not receive osteopathic correction.Conclusion. The obtained results demonstrated the ability to include the osteopathic correction in the complex treatment of teenagers with anal sphincter insufficiency.

Comparison of antegrade and retrograde endoscopic injection techniques for neurogenic sphincteric incontinence in children with neurogenic bladder

Urinary incontinence is common in children with neuropathic bladder. Results of endoscopic injections of bulking agents in the bladder neck are promising but it remains unclear whether they should be performed an antegrade or retrograde fashion. Our aim was to compare the antegrade and retrograde endoscopic injection techniques for the treatment of urinary incontinence. A prospective study evaluating bladder neck dextranomer-hyaluronic acid polymer injections for urinary incontinence in children with neurogenic bladder was initiated in 1997. Children with normal bladder capacity and compliance and without uncontrolled detrusor overactivity or previous bladder neck surgery were included. Patients were classified as success (dry or significantly improved, the latter defined as no need for more than one pad per day, continent during night, and patient seeking no further treatment) or failure at regular follow-up visits. During 1997-2016, 34 children underwent endoscopic treatment in a retrograde while 17 children in antegrade fashion (mean age 11 years, range 5-20). Most patients (n=47/51) had neuropathic bladder due to congenital malformations, 13 (25%) had had previous bladder augmentation, and 19 (37%) were in wheelchair. Sex, age, etiology of neurogenic bladder, degree of physical impairment, or era of treatment (1997-2012 vs. 2012-2016) had no influence on success rates (Summary Table). After mean follow-ups of 69 (range 12-156) months, success rates were 71% for the antegrade and 53% for the retrograde technique (p=0.366). Mean number of injections to obtain success was similar between the techniques (1.4 vs. 1.2). While the proportion of dry patients was similar between the two techniques (35%), the proportion of significantly improved patients tended to be higher after antegrade than retrograde injections (35% vs. 18%, p=0.181). Better visualization of the bladder neck may explain the tendency for improved results of antegrade compared to retrograde technique. Further studies in larger patient samples are needed to define the optimal endoscopic injection technique. Long-term results of the antegrade endoscopic bladder neck injections of dextranomer-hyaluronic acid polymer for urinary incontinence in children with neurogenic bladder are promising.

Fecal incontinence and scleroderma: Pathogenesis and unmet needs.

Scleroderma is a chronic autoimmune disorder involving multiple organs and very commonly the gastrointestinal (GI) system; nevertheless, data on the involvement of the anal sphincter and consequent faecal incontinence (FI) are inadequate. FI in scleroderma was first reported in 1994 by Engel and colleagues, but its impact of added health care costs and declining quality of life (QoL) is poorly determined. Up to 40% of patients with GI involvement complain of FI, however, the quality of data available is poor owing to majority of the studies being retrospective and case reports or series of small study size. A direct involvement of internal anal sphincter muscularis propria has been demonstrated on anorectal ultrasound imaging suggesting a thin, atrophic or scarred internal sphincter. Treatment guidelines for incontinence in scleroderma are mainly symptomatic, with radical surgeries burdened by poor outcomes. Sacral neuromodulation is being used with good outcomes in a subgroup of patients, but larger, controlled studies are required to assess its efficacy on symptoms and prognosis.

MP40-15 LONGITUDINAL CHANGE IN URINARY INCONTINENCE, LOWER URINARY TRACT SYMPTOMS AND QUALITY OF LIFE AFTER ARTIFICIAL URINARY SPHINCTER IMPLANTATION

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE:Artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) implantation is the standard treatment for severe male sphincteric urinary incontinence (UI). Although AUS can remarkably improve vario...

Factors influencing the severity of long-term sequelae in fishermen-divers with neurological decompression sickness.

Numerous studies have been conducted to identify the factors influencing the short-term prognosis for neurological decompression sickness (DCS). However, the long-term sequelae are rarely assessed. The purpose of this study to investigate the factors likely to influence the long-term prognosis. Twenty-seven Vietnamese fishermen-divers who on average 9 (SD 6) years beforehand had presented with neurological DCS and ongoing sequelae, were questioned and examined. The severity of the initial clinical profile was quantified using a severity score. The long-term sequelae were clinically evaluated by looking for a motor or sensory deficit or muscular spasticity, and by applying a severity score for the sequelae which focussed on gait and sphincter disorders. An initial severity score of ≥ 15 is significantly associated with a risk of serious long-term sequelae [OR = 13.7 (95% CI 2.4 to 79.5)]. Furthermore, certain treatment practices such as in-water recompression to depths > 17 metres' seawater breathing air are significantly associated with more serious sequelae. The practice of intensive non-standardised hyperbaric oxygen sessions over prolonged durations (median 30 days [IQR 19.5]) delayed after the initial accident (median 4 days [IQR 6]) also seems unfavourable. This study establishes a link between the initial DCS severity and the long-term sequelae causing severe gait disorders and sphincter incontinence. Furthermore, this work suggests that certain detrimental treatment practices should be modified. During this field study, we also found that it was possible to reduce sequelae of these divers by offering them an individual programme of self-rehabilitation.

Platelet-Rich Plasma in Sphincteroplasty

I review the interesting article “Effects of Platelet-Rich Plasma on Healing of Sphincteroplasty: An Experiment in Rabbit Model” (1)about application of Platelet-Rich Plasma in the anal sphincteroplasty While reviewing the article which proposed a novel idea for improving the outcome of sphincteroplasty three issues were questionable for me: The first issue is the site of sphincterotomy as it is mentioned located in posterior midline. It is known that the external anal sphincter is connected posteriorly to the anococcygeal ligament posteriorly (2) and division of sphincter in this point is not always associated with separation of sphincter and fecal incontinence. Animal experiments on the anal sphincter is different in the basis of sphincter function rather than an anatomical basis has a physiologic basis and if sphincterotomy is done in an animal the impaired function should be demonstrated(3) before further intervention. Due to small size of sphincter complex in the small animals it is sometimes hard to understand the exact territory of muscle.