Prosthetic Surgery for Urinary Incontinence

Dr Robert B Thomas

Abstract:

Urinary Incontinence is a morbid, prevalent conditon affecting up to 15% of the male

and 30% of the female population. The annual cost to the Australian community has

been estimated to be 42.9 billion dollars or $9,014.00 per person with incontinence.

Approximately 50% of cases are amenable to cure or marked improvement by means of

implantable anti-incontinence prostheses. Prostheses range from simple mesh tapes

that help to reposition incompetent bladder necks in women to slings that compress the

bulbar urethra in men, injectable peri-urethral bulking agents and hydraulically activated

artificial sphincters and compressible urethral cushions.

We present our experience with these devices in the Riverina and describe the

role of prosthetic surgery for the control of urinary incontinence along with an innovative

method of fixation we have developed to securely and easily fix anti-incontinence

slings to the pelvis.