title: Safety and efficacy of periurethral constrictor implantation for the treatment of post-radical prostatectomy incontinence.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess safety and efficacy of the periurethral constrictor for the treatment of postprostatectomy urinary incontinence.
  
  
  METHODS
  Periurethral constrictor is a minimally invasive, low-cost (€ 2000) device based on an adjustable occlusive mechanism. From December 2004 to March 2010 the device was implanted in 66 patients with mild to severe incontinence (3 or more pads per day) through a 3- to 5-cm perineal incision. Median surgical time was 35 minutes (range 25-60). Discharge occurred on day 1 after removing the indwelling urethral catheter.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In 4 cases (6%), the device was removed because of infection/periurethral erosion. At 18 months, 62 patients were valuable; continence was recovered totally in 49 cases (79%), partially in 9 (15%) cases, and remained unchanged in 4 (6%). No one needed self-catheterization to empty the bladder.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Periurethral constrictor improved continence in most of the patients. Nevertheless, a larger series and longer follow-up are needed to confirm safety and to test durability.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, National Institute for Cancer Research, Genoa, Italy.
authors.forename: Carlo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Introini
authors.forename: Angelo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Naselli
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Zaninetta
authors.forename: Luca
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Timossi
authors.forename: Salvatore
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Guaglianone
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Simone
authors.forename: Rocco
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Papalia
authors.forename: Michele
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gallucci
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Puppo
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011468:Prostatectomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D019736:Prostheses and Implants / Q000009:adverse effects; D019919:Prosthesis Implantation; D020127:Recovery of Function; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014521:Urethra; D014549:Urinary Incontinence / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*