Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) is definitely a medical condition that needs much attention considering that an estimated 18 million women suffer from this ailment. As the controversy of the vaginal mesh surgery rages on, efforts in finding alternative methods of treating this very common pelvic floor disorder have been exerted by various concerned sectors.
Described by researchers as very promising, the intravesical pressure-attenuation device is one such innovation. This novel balloon-like device is intended to reduce or eliminate episodes of SUI among patients.
Made of polyurethane materials, this balloon is inserted into the urethra through a tube and which is then inflated with the proper volume of air. The balloon may then act as cushion to the bladder when abdominal pressure is exerted through coughing, laughing, and other activities, once this device is inflated. The sudden changes in pressure in the bladder may then be absorbed resulting to the reduction or elimination of urine leakage.
Results of Study
In testing the efficacy and safety of this device, a group of medical researchers carried out a study involving 166 women who were diagnosed with SUI. One group which comprised 112 women was named the pressure-attenuation device group while the rest of the subjects were formed into the control group. At the start of the study, devices were inserted by the doctors and replaced after 90 days.
Outcomes were recorded and evaluated every month up to the sixth month. At the end of six months, it was determined, based on subjects’ three-day voiding diaries, that urine leakage dropped from 4.4 per day to 2.5 or a reduction of 43.2 percent. Especially when compared to the control which only registered a 24.1 percent reduction, this was a substantial improvement.
While the initial results may be impressive, product developers may still have to hurdle a few challenges before this device may be embraced by the patients and healthcare providers. Adverse effects, albeit non-serious, were reported by a number of subjects and withdrawal rate of participants, placed at 41 percent may be a bit high.
Advantages of the Pressure-Attenuation Device
Medical experts have acknowledged that as a first-generation device, the emergence of problems may be understandable. Much may still be done to make the necessary improvements or modifications to address all the issues that were encountered.
Even with these challenges, optimism on this device as a new method in addressing SUI was expressed by the researchers. It has been shown that this type of approach is effective, generally safe, simple to apply, completely reversible, and minimally invasive.
Any new method of treating SUI that shows great promise should be good news to all the women affected with this disorder. For the thousands of women, a surgical option, such as a vaginal mesh surgery, which has caused severe complications, is something to be wary of.
Serious injuries have been sustained by these women, prompting them to file vaginal mesh lawsuits against mesh manufacturers. Several of these lawsuits were filed by women exposed to risks of POP and SUI surgeries after a hysterectomy.
References:
medscape.com
jurology.com
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
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