Transurethral Collagen Therapy in Women

Abstract

We evaluated our recent experience with transurethral collagen therapy in women. A series of 44 women with video urodynamic evidence of intrinsic sphincter deficiency were treated with transurethral collagen therapy using local anesthesia. Median patient age was 72 years (range 41 to 94). Mean duration of incontinence was 72 months. Incontinence was grade 3 in 42 patients. Mean abdominal leak point pressure before treatment was 56 cm. water. Patient response to treatment was evaluated by the change in the number of pads required to effect significant improvement. Median number of pads used was 5 pretreatment (range 3 to 12) and 3 posttreatment. A total of 20 patients was cured and 8 others required only 1 pad daily after treatment (63 percent cured or needing no pads daily). Of the cured patients 4 had used greater than 10 pads daily before collagen injection. One treatment was given to 22 patients and 7 have not improved of whom 2 underwent only 1 treatment. Mean volume of collagen used to effect a cure was 9.1 cc. Collagen injection is a useful treatment for the severely incontinent female patient with intrinsic sphincter deficiency.