Periurethral Teflon for stress urinary incontinence: medium-term results

Medium-term results are presented for the periurethral injection of Teflon in the treatment of stress urinary incontinence. Follow-up data were obtained on 36 women by means of case note review and the completion of a postal questionnaire. Mean follow-up was 5.1 years. Subjective results showed 12 patients to be dry or much improved while the remaining 24 patients did not obtain significant benefit from the procedure. Repeat injections in 12 women resulted in only 3 obtaining useful improvement, while a subgroup of patients who had undergone previous procedures showed a better response. No significant complications were observed. Periurethral Teflon injection is a minor surgical procedure which can produce worthwhile improvement, although an initially good result may not be sustained with longer follow-up. This method may be advocated as treatment for poor risk patients who are unsuitable for surgery, particularly when previous attempts at formal surgical correction have been unsuccessful.