The treatment of urinary incontinence in children using glutaraldehyde cross-linked collagen

Periurethral injection of polytetrafluoroethylene (PolyTef) paste has been used to correct urinary incontinence for 2 decades. The controversy over distant migration of the paste has led to an interest in alternative materials particularly for the pediatric patient. Glutaraldehyde cross-linked collagen, derived from bovine dermal collagen, is effective in treating urinary incontinence in adults. Eight children with structural urinary incontinence underwent glutaraldehyde cross-linked collagen injection. Fluorourodynamic studies preceded and followed the injections. An average of 10.9 cc glutaraldehyde cross-linked collagen was injected per treatment (range 2.5 to 20). The number of injections per child ranged from 1 to 6 (mean 2.1) and followup averaged 13.75 months (range 6 to 33). Overall, 88% of the patients were cured or improved: 5 (63%) became continent, 2 were improved and 1 had no effect.