A Study of Transcorporal Versus Standard Artificial Urinary Sphincter Placement
| Status: | Withdrawn |
|---|---|
| Conditions: | Urology, Urology |
| Therapuetic Areas: | Nephrology / Urology |
| Healthy: | No |
| Age Range: | 18 - 85 |
| Updated: | 2/1/2019 |
| Start Date: | September 2015 |
| End Date: | November 2017 |
A Randomized Study of Transcorporal Versus Standard Artificial Urinary Sphincter Placement
We propose a randomized non-blinded comparison of standard vs. transcorporal approach for
placement of an artificial urinary sphincter in male patients with stress urinary
incontinence after radiation and radical prostatectomy for prostate cancer. In the United
States, the artificial urinary sphincter (AUS), manufactured by American Medical Systems, is
the gold standard surgical treatment for stress urinary incontinence (SUI) in men. The cuff,
which is the portion of the device that encircles and occludes the urethra, is typically
placed directly around the urethra (i.e., "standard" placement). The cuff can erode into the
urethra. Transcorporal placement has been introduced as a method to reduce the risk of
erosion. Transcorporal placement involves tunneling the cuff through the erectile bodies so
as to protect the dorsal aspect of the urethra. This approach has never been compared to
standard placement in a randomized fashion. In our randomized trial, no additional procedures
beyond the normal care protocol will be required of the patients. We will conduct the study
through our established, IRB-approved multi-institutional network of surgeons. Success will
be assessed via objective and subjective methods; complications will be tallied in a
standardized fashion. Outcomes will be measured at two years.
placement of an artificial urinary sphincter in male patients with stress urinary
incontinence after radiation and radical prostatectomy for prostate cancer. In the United
States, the artificial urinary sphincter (AUS), manufactured by American Medical Systems, is
the gold standard surgical treatment for stress urinary incontinence (SUI) in men. The cuff,
which is the portion of the device that encircles and occludes the urethra, is typically
placed directly around the urethra (i.e., "standard" placement). The cuff can erode into the
urethra. Transcorporal placement has been introduced as a method to reduce the risk of
erosion. Transcorporal placement involves tunneling the cuff through the erectile bodies so
as to protect the dorsal aspect of the urethra. This approach has never been compared to
standard placement in a randomized fashion. In our randomized trial, no additional procedures
beyond the normal care protocol will be required of the patients. We will conduct the study
through our established, IRB-approved multi-institutional network of surgeons. Success will
be assessed via objective and subjective methods; complications will be tallied in a
standardized fashion. Outcomes will be measured at two years.
The AUS is the gold standard for treatment of severe SUI, particularly in patients following
surgical resection of the prostate for prostate cancer. In fact, severe urinary incontinence
can be the most distressing complication following radical prostatectomy and results in a
negative impact on quality of life (Haab, Trockman et al. 1997). Placement of an AUS has been
shown to result in an improved quality of life in these patients. AUSs are small devices that
prevent urinary flow via compression of the urethra, thus mimicking the native urinary
sphincter. They have been available, albeit with occasional improvements or changes in
design, since the 1970's. When placed in the standard fashion (ST) a small incision is made
in the patient's perineum or scrotum and a fluid-filled cuff is placed around the bulbar
urethra (the portion of the urethra between the bladder neck and penis). Connected to the
cuff with tubing, is a balloon filled with fluid that is placed behind the pubic bone or in
the space between the peritoneum and abdominal muscles. A control pump is placed in the
scrotum and allows the device to cycle, thus either exerting pressure to close off the
urethra or releasing pressure to allow the urethra to open and the patient to void. 73-76% of
patients will experience dramatic improvement in incontinence with very minimal leakage (0-1
pads per day) and 88-89% report significant improvement or cure. Two years following implant,
9% of patients will experience a significant decline in the functionality of the device and
report severe incontinence. At 5 years, 28% will need to undergo revision of the device
(Dalkin, Wessells et al. 2003). Long-term complications associated with the device include
urethral erosion in 5% of cases, urethral atrophy, infection, and mechanical failure of the
device.
Patients undergoing radical prostatectomy frequently undergo radiation treatment during the
course of their illness. Radiation to the pelvic region is responsible for compromising blood
flow to the urethra and fibrosis. As a result these patients are at a moderate risk of
developing complications and ultimately failure of the device necessitating removal and/or
replacement. Factors that put patients in a high-risk category include a history of
urethroplasty for urethral stricture, a history of a prior artificial urinary sphincter, and
a history of open surgery for bladder neck contractures (scarring at the entrance to the
bladder). Patients who develop a complication as listed above, often require a replacement
AUS in a different location than the first cuff. This is done more distally in the penis
where the urethra is narrower and there is less tissue to fill the cuff. This puts them at a
higher risk for further complications. Several authors have recently published their
experience with a modification to the standard technique in patients at a high risk for
failure (Guralnick, Miller et al. 2002) (Aaronson, Elliott et al. 2008). The modified
technique, termed transcorporal placement (TC), has been shown to be beneficial in this
subset of patients. In one study, 28% of high-risk patients with ST placement developed
erosion or infection, which required explanting the device compared with 13% in the TC group
(4). Continence was also better in this high-risk group when TC placement was used, compared
with ST, 89% vs 61%. TC placement also reduces the risk of injury to the urethra during
surgery. Unlike in ST, TC placement involves placing the device around the urethra but also
incorporating a flap of the tough tunica albigunea. The same incision is made as for the ST
approach, and then an incision is made in each corpus cavernosum (cylinders of tissue that
allow for erection). This allows the cuff to be placed around both the urethra and through
the lining of the corporal bodies, increasing the bulk of tissue behind the urethra to
protect it from erosion.
It has been suggested that placing the cuff near the erectile tissues might cause erectile
dysfunction and as a result few surgeons perform this procedure on potent patients. However,
scant data exist to support or refute this hypothetical effect on erectile function. Despite
its success in patients at high risk of erosion, the TC approach has never been adequately
tested in patients without a high risk of failure. It is unknown if this is a technique that
only benefits this subset of patients or whether all patients might experience better
long-term continence with less risk for erosion.
Study Objectives
The purpose of this study is to improve long-term patient outcomes and reduce complications
and morbidity in patients with male SUI who are candidates for AUS insertion after radiation.
The results from this study will provide clinicians evidence for superiority of either the ST
or TC AUS. Our null hypothesis is that there is no difference in outcomes (as defined below)
for AUS done in a TC vs. ST method. The alternative hypothesis is that one procedure is
inferior/superior to the other.
Primary endpoint: AUS revision or removal surgery. These include surgery for mechanical
failure, cuff erosion, impending erosion (discretion of surgeon), urethral atrophy, urinary
incontinence and persistent retention due to small cuff.
Secondary endpoints:
Rate of post-operative urinary retention. Urinary retention defined as urinary catheter
placement for more than 5 days in the period between AUS implantation and AUS activation
(typically 4-8 weeks postoperatively) Incontinence at 3 months post-operatively measured
using 24-hour pad weight test. Erectile function at 3 months as measured via the Sexual
Health Inventory for Men (SHIM) Incontinence and QoL impact at 3 months as measured by the
Incontinence Severity Index (ISI) and the Incontinency Impact Questionnaire Short From
(IIQ-7)
surgical resection of the prostate for prostate cancer. In fact, severe urinary incontinence
can be the most distressing complication following radical prostatectomy and results in a
negative impact on quality of life (Haab, Trockman et al. 1997). Placement of an AUS has been
shown to result in an improved quality of life in these patients. AUSs are small devices that
prevent urinary flow via compression of the urethra, thus mimicking the native urinary
sphincter. They have been available, albeit with occasional improvements or changes in
design, since the 1970's. When placed in the standard fashion (ST) a small incision is made
in the patient's perineum or scrotum and a fluid-filled cuff is placed around the bulbar
urethra (the portion of the urethra between the bladder neck and penis). Connected to the
cuff with tubing, is a balloon filled with fluid that is placed behind the pubic bone or in
the space between the peritoneum and abdominal muscles. A control pump is placed in the
scrotum and allows the device to cycle, thus either exerting pressure to close off the
urethra or releasing pressure to allow the urethra to open and the patient to void. 73-76% of
patients will experience dramatic improvement in incontinence with very minimal leakage (0-1
pads per day) and 88-89% report significant improvement or cure. Two years following implant,
9% of patients will experience a significant decline in the functionality of the device and
report severe incontinence. At 5 years, 28% will need to undergo revision of the device
(Dalkin, Wessells et al. 2003). Long-term complications associated with the device include
urethral erosion in 5% of cases, urethral atrophy, infection, and mechanical failure of the
device.
Patients undergoing radical prostatectomy frequently undergo radiation treatment during the
course of their illness. Radiation to the pelvic region is responsible for compromising blood
flow to the urethra and fibrosis. As a result these patients are at a moderate risk of
developing complications and ultimately failure of the device necessitating removal and/or
replacement. Factors that put patients in a high-risk category include a history of
urethroplasty for urethral stricture, a history of a prior artificial urinary sphincter, and
a history of open surgery for bladder neck contractures (scarring at the entrance to the
bladder). Patients who develop a complication as listed above, often require a replacement
AUS in a different location than the first cuff. This is done more distally in the penis
where the urethra is narrower and there is less tissue to fill the cuff. This puts them at a
higher risk for further complications. Several authors have recently published their
experience with a modification to the standard technique in patients at a high risk for
failure (Guralnick, Miller et al. 2002) (Aaronson, Elliott et al. 2008). The modified
technique, termed transcorporal placement (TC), has been shown to be beneficial in this
subset of patients. In one study, 28% of high-risk patients with ST placement developed
erosion or infection, which required explanting the device compared with 13% in the TC group
(4). Continence was also better in this high-risk group when TC placement was used, compared
with ST, 89% vs 61%. TC placement also reduces the risk of injury to the urethra during
surgery. Unlike in ST, TC placement involves placing the device around the urethra but also
incorporating a flap of the tough tunica albigunea. The same incision is made as for the ST
approach, and then an incision is made in each corpus cavernosum (cylinders of tissue that
allow for erection). This allows the cuff to be placed around both the urethra and through
the lining of the corporal bodies, increasing the bulk of tissue behind the urethra to
protect it from erosion.
It has been suggested that placing the cuff near the erectile tissues might cause erectile
dysfunction and as a result few surgeons perform this procedure on potent patients. However,
scant data exist to support or refute this hypothetical effect on erectile function. Despite
its success in patients at high risk of erosion, the TC approach has never been adequately
tested in patients without a high risk of failure. It is unknown if this is a technique that
only benefits this subset of patients or whether all patients might experience better
long-term continence with less risk for erosion.
Study Objectives
The purpose of this study is to improve long-term patient outcomes and reduce complications
and morbidity in patients with male SUI who are candidates for AUS insertion after radiation.
The results from this study will provide clinicians evidence for superiority of either the ST
or TC AUS. Our null hypothesis is that there is no difference in outcomes (as defined below)
for AUS done in a TC vs. ST method. The alternative hypothesis is that one procedure is
inferior/superior to the other.
Primary endpoint: AUS revision or removal surgery. These include surgery for mechanical
failure, cuff erosion, impending erosion (discretion of surgeon), urethral atrophy, urinary
incontinence and persistent retention due to small cuff.
Secondary endpoints:
Rate of post-operative urinary retention. Urinary retention defined as urinary catheter
placement for more than 5 days in the period between AUS implantation and AUS activation
(typically 4-8 weeks postoperatively) Incontinence at 3 months post-operatively measured
using 24-hour pad weight test. Erectile function at 3 months as measured via the Sexual
Health Inventory for Men (SHIM) Incontinence and QoL impact at 3 months as measured by the
Incontinence Severity Index (ISI) and the Incontinency Impact Questionnaire Short From
(IIQ-7)
Inclusion Criteria:
- Men undergoing an AUS procedure
- History of pelvic radiation for prostate or other cancer
- No spontaneous erections and no erections with oral erectogenic agents
- Subjects able to consent for themselves
Exclusion Criteria:
- prior urethroplasty
- prior urethral erosion of AUS
- history of penile prosthesis placement or explantation
- concomitant placement of penile prosthesis at the time of AUS placement
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