title: Polytef paste for urinary incontinence.
abstract: A series of 28 patients injected with polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) (Polytef, Mentor) paste for urinary incontinence is presented. The cystoscopic method of injection was used in 25 patients. Twenty-four adult females with stress incontinence were treated: 10 of these were long-term cures and five improved. Success rates were higher in those who had had previous gynaecological surgery (10 of 12: P less than 0.05) or who had well supported vaginal walls (5 of 5: P less than 0.05). Three adult males were treated, but all failed. Complications including the risk of micro-embolization are discussed. Low morbidity is an attraction and it is concluded that this treatment may have a place for older women with stress incontinence and a well-supported, preferably scarred, anterior vaginal wall. It may be performed under topical local anaesthetic if desired. The availability of a more suitable agent would widen the application of the technique. Subject to long-term experience vindicating early trials, glutaraldehyde cross-linked collagen may be a suitable replacement for PTFE in this role.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Palmerston North Hospital, New Zealand.
authors.forename: R F
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Smart
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003558:Cystoscopy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007267:Injections; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009824:Ointments; D011138:Polytetrafluoroethylene / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D012008:Recurrence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014550:Urinary Incontinence, Stress / Q000628:therapy*
chemical_list: D009824:Ointments; D011138:Polytetrafluoroethylene