title: Efficacy and complications of the adjustable sling system ArgusT for male incontinence: results of a prospective 2-center study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate prospectively the efficacy and the safety of the ArgusT in male patients with persistent stress urinary incontinence.
  
  
  METHODS
  A prospective 2-center evaluation was conducted on consecutive patients treated for persistent stress incontinence. Forty-two patients were implanted with the ArgusT male sling system with no associated surgery. Measurements included daily pad usage, 24-hour pad weight test, International Quality of Life questionnaire, International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire short form, and the Patient Global Impression of Improvement. Postoperative complications were assessed using the Clavien-Dindo classification. The definitions used were cured, 0-5 g in 24-hour pad weight test; improved, reduction of urine loss in 24-hour pad weight test >50%; and failed, all others.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After a mean follow-up of 28.8 months (20-38 months), 26 patients were dry (61.9%) with a pad test of 0-5 g/24 hours. Eleven patients (26.2%) improved. Five patients are considered failures. Overall daily pad use, urine loss in the 24-hour pad test, and quality of life scores improved significantly after sling implantation. Median adjustment rate was 1.7. There were no perioperative complications. Postoperative complications were mainly grade I and II complications according to the Clavien-Dindo classification.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The ArgusT sling system offers an effective and safe treatment option for male patients with moderate to severe stress urinary incontinence in a follow-up >2 years, even after radiotherapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany. Electronic address: Ricarda.Bauer@med.uni-muenchen.de.
authors.forename: Ricarda M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Bauer
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Clinic of Korneuburg, Korneuburg, Austria.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rutkowski
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: Alexander
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kretschmer
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: Jozefina
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Casuscelli
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: Christian G
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Stief
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Clinic of Korneuburg, Korneuburg, Austria.
authors.forename: Wilhelm
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Huebner
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D053825:Suburethral Slings / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014550:Urinary Incontinence, Stress / Q000601:surgery*; D013521:Urologic Surgical Procedures, Male / Q000295:instrumentation