Polytef paste for urinary incontinence

A series of 28 patients injected with polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) (Polytef, Mentor) paste for urinary incontinence is presented. The cystoscopic method of injection was used in 25 patients. Twenty-four adult females with stress incontinence were treated: 10 of these were long-term cures and five improved. Success rates were higher in those who had had previous gynaecological surgery (10 of 12: P less than 0.05) or who had well supported vaginal walls (5 of 5: P less than 0.05). Three adult males were treated, but all failed. Complications including the risk of micro-embolization are discussed. Low morbidity is an attraction and it is concluded that this treatment may have a place for older women with stress incontinence and a well-supported, preferably scarred, anterior vaginal wall. It may be performed under topical local anaesthetic if desired. The availability of a more suitable agent would widen the application of the technique. Subject to long-term experience vindicating early trials, glutaraldehyde cross-linked collagen may be a suitable replacement for PTFE in this role.