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Treatment of Female Stress Urinary Incontinence with Urethral Bulking

  • STRESS INCONTINENCE AND PROLAPSE (S REYNOLDS,SECTION EDITOR)
  • Published:
Current Bladder Dysfunction Reports Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose of Review

To review the current use of urethral bulking agents (UBAs) for the treatment of female stress urinary incontinence (SUI).

Recent Findings

The newest FDA-approved agent, Bulkamid® (2022), which has demonstrated > 60% rate of improvement at 7 years. A systematic review published in 2021 showed similar long-term success rates between Bulkamid® (42–70%), Coaptite® (60–75%), and Macroplastique® (21–80%). To date, direct comparisons of UBAs have not been published. Bulkamid® may have a more favorable side effect profiles with no cases of erosion or migration reported.

Summary

Multiple UBAs are available on the market have demonstrated similar improvements in SUI with minimal adverse events. Choice of UBA should be based on surgeon comfort with technique, as each has a unique injection technique, and consideration for potential side effects depending on the material of the agent.

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Abbreviations

EUS:

External urethral sphincter

PVP:

Polyvinylpyrrolidone

RCT:

Randomized control trial

SUI:

Stress urinary incontinence

UBA:

Urethral bulking agent

References 

Papers of particular interest, published recently, have been highlighted as: • Of importance •• Of major importance

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Urology, University of Kansas Health System, 3901 Rainbow Boulevard, Kansas City, KS, 66160, USA

    Crystal Valadon, Tomas L. Griebling & Casey G. Kowalik

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  1. Crystal Valadon
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  2. Tomas L. Griebling
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  3. Casey G. Kowalik
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Correspondence to Casey G. Kowalik.

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Conflict of Interest

Dr. Crystal Valadon has no conflicts of interest.

Dr. Tomas Griebling has no conflicts of interest.

Dr. Casey Kowalik is a site Principal Investigator for a trial using autologous muscle derived cells for the treatment of stress urinary incontinence with Cook Myosite.

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This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by the authors.

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Valadon, C., Griebling, T.L. & Kowalik, C.G. Treatment of Female Stress Urinary Incontinence with Urethral Bulking. Curr Bladder Dysfunct Rep 18, 118–123 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11884-023-00688-5

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