Management of Postradical Prostatectomy Urinary Incontinence: A Review

Postprostatectomy urinary incontinence has a significant impact on the quality of life of patients who undergo radical prostatectomy. Stress and overflow incontinence may result from the procedure, with sphincteric incompetence and detrusor hypocontractility implicating their development, respectively. In many cases, treatment begins with conservative approaches, including pelvic floor muscle training or biofeedback. Pharmacotherapy can be used to treat overactive bladder. For stress incontinence, transurethral bulking agents are utilized in select patients; however, artificial urinary sphincter and male slings are the most efficacious options with good success rates. In this review, the various treatment modalities are critically discussed with special emphasis on safety and efficacy.