Rehabilitation therapy and urinary incontinence after radical retropubic prostatectomy. A critical review of the literature.
BACKGROUND
To assess the efficacy and evidence-based data in the literature about rehabilitation therapy in patients with post-prostatectomy urinary incontinence.


METHODS
An analysis of published full-length papers identified by a Medline search from 1990 through 2004 was carried out. Abstracts published in peer-reviewed journals in the same period of time were also considered.


RESULTS
Efficacy, tolerability and safety of rehabilitation therapy were evaluated, according to the available data in the literature, with special regard to randomized controlled trials in order to define a clear-cut, evidence-based efficacy of this form of therapy.


CONCLUSIONS
Rehabilitation therapy is a simple and safe way of managing post-prostatectomy urinary incontinence. Nonetheless, few randomized controlled studies have been carried out so far to establish its evidence-based efficacy and it is thus not possible to be scientifically sure of its value. It is therefore necessary to undertake well-designed randomized controlled studies, with a large number of patients, a well-matched control group and an adequate follow-up.
Viola
Domenico
D
Department of Urology, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy. domeviol@inwind.it
Comerci
Francesco
F
Martorana
Giuseppe
G
D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011468:Prostatectomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014549:Urinary Incontinence / Q000209:etiology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*