Transurethral injection of silicone microimplants for intrinsic urethral sphincter deficiency.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the short-term efficacy of transurethral injection of silicone microimplants in women with intrinsic sphincter deficiency.

METHODS: During January 1995 and December 1996, 32 women (mean age 64.3 years, range 39-85 years) with type III stress incontinence (intrinsic sphincter deficiency) underwent transurethral injection of silicone microimplants under general anesthesia. Twenty-eight had undergone previous continence surgery. Subjective and urodynamic assessments were made at 6 and 12 months after injection to evaluate success and short-term effects.

RESULTS: Objective and subjective success rates were 75% and 59% at 6 and 12 months, respectively. Injections of silicone microimplants significantly increased maximum urethral closure pressure (maximum urethral pressure at rest: 34.40+/-16.46 cm H2O, 95% confidence interval [CI] 28.55, 40.25 versus 25.35+/-10.78 cm H2O, 95% CI 21.52, 29.18; P = .027). There were no complications after surgery up to 1 year.

CONCLUSION: Transurethral silicone injections were effective in 60% of cases of intrinsic sphincter deficiency, although there was a time-dependent decrease.