[The role of retraining in urinary incontinence in women]

Sphincter rehabilitation is currently an excellent therapeutic approach to urinary incontinence in women, on the same level as surgery and medical treatment. The indication for rehabilitation must be based upon clinical and paraclinical (urodynamic and radiological studies) assessment. Sphincter electro-stimulation results in awareness of perineal contraction. Biofeedback improves the strength and persistence of contraction. Long term results of such rehabilitation can be maintained only if the patient continues exercises alone. Priority indications for rehabilitation are: postpartum incontinence, incontinence in women desiring further pregnancies, sphincter insufficiency. Results of the present study involve 74 patients with stress urinary incontinence, giving 58% good results, 22.5% improvement and 19.5% failures.