Changes in urodynamic measurements after successful anal electrostimulation in female urinary incontinence

Fifty-five of 71 women with stress, motor urge and mixed stress and motor urge urinary incontinence were treated successfully with a new integrated electrostimulation device (Incontan) used anally. Changes in urodynamic measurements were evaluated when the patients themselves reported cure or significant improvement. The duration of the treatment was 9 to 20 h/day for at least 2 months (mean 9 months). According to the patients' subjective evaluation, 71% were cured of their incontinence and 29% were markedly improved. In motor urge and mixed incontinence a significant increase in bladder volume at first sensation and at maximum cystometric capacity was found, and 45% of these patients had a normal, stable bladder after treatment. A significant increase in functional urethral length was observed in patients who had had stress incontinence, but the measured increase in maximum urethral pressure was not significant. Of the 16 patients with stress and mixed incontinence who reported cure, 15 had a positive urethral closure pressure during coughing after treatment. Urodynamic analysis confirmed the positive clinical effect observed after electrostimulation therapy. It is recommended as primary therapy in stress, motor urge and mixed stress and motor urge incontinence in women.