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Objectives: The treatment of female urinary incontinence (UI) is a growing health care concern in our aging society. Publications of recent innovations and modifications are creating expectations. This brief review provides some insight and structure regarding indications and expected outcomes for the different approaches.
Materials: Data extraction is part of a Medline data base search, which was performed for "female stress incontinence" from 1960 until 2000. Additional literature search was performed to cover 2001 and 2002. Outcome data were extracted.
Results: (1) INJECTION OF BULKING AGENTS (collagen, synthetic agents): The indication for mucosal coaptation was more clearly defined and in the majority of articles limited to ISD.
(2) OPEN COLPOSUSPENSION (Burch, MMK): Best long-term results of all operative procedures, to date considered the gold standard.
(3) LAPAROSCOPIC COLPOSUSPENSION (different modifications): Long-term success rates appear dependent on operator skills. There are few long-term data.
(4) NEEDLE SUSPENSION: (Stamey, Pareyra and modifications):
Initial results were equal to Burch with less morbidity, but long-term success rates are worse.
(5) SLING PROCEDURES (autologous, synthetic, allogenic graft materials, different modes of support and anchoring, free tapes):
The suburethral sling has traditionally been considered a procedure for those in whom suspension had failed and for those with severe ISD. The most current trend shows its use as a primary procedure for SUI. Long-term data beyond 5 years are insufficient.
(6) EXTERNAL OCCLUSIVE DEVICES (vaginal sponges and pessaries, urethral insert): Both vaginal and urethral insert devices can be effective in selected patients.
(7) IMPLANTABLE ARTEFICIAL URETHRAL SPHINCTERS: Modifications and improvements of the devices resulted in improved clinical results regarding durability and efficacy.
CONCLUSION: (1) The Burch colposuspension is still considered the gold standard in the treatment of female genuine SUI. There is a trend for the suburethral sling to be used as the primary procedure for this indication. Early outcome data are encouraging. New concepts such as use of metalic bone anchors and allograft material as well as the Tension free Vaginal Tape are under investigation.
(2) Standardization of diagnostic and therapeutic interventions is prerequisite for any meaningful research. Randomized controlled prospective studies are essential to provide objectives regarding risks and benefits of new procedures and materials.
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