How can we manage urinary incontinence following radical colpectomy? Literature review apropos of a rare entity

Abstract

Urinary incontinence following radical oncologic colpectomy is a rare condition with severe reduction of quality of life. A systematic review of the literature was performed to find the optimal incontinence therapy for these patients. The database search revealed no systematic therapeutic concept. We present a case of a postmenopausal, hysterectomized virgin who underwent radical laparoscopic colpectomy for vaginal melanoma with consecutive de novo predominant stress urinary incontinence. Transurethral submucosal injection of the bulking agent polyacrylamide-hydrogel resulted in a substantial relief of discomfort. In combination with the serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor duloxetine the patient was fully satisfied. As demonstrated by this case minimally invasive treatment of postoperative urinary incontinence after colpectomy seems to be a valuable therapeutic option to allow a fast relief of urinary incontinence symptoms and discomfort.