Mitigating infections in implantable urological continence devices: risks, challenges, solutions, and future innovations. A comprehensive literature review

Abstract

Purpose of review Stress urinary incontinence is a growing issue in ageing men, often following treatment for prostate cancer or bladder outflow obstruction. While implantable urological devices offer relief, infections are a significant concern. These infections can lead to device removal, negating the benefits and impacting patient outcomes. This review explores the risks and factors contributing to these infections and existing strategies to minimize them. These strategies encompass a multifaceted approach that considers patient-specific issues, environmental issues, device design and surgical techniques. However, despite these interventions, there is still a pressing need for further advancements in device infection prevention. Recent findings Faster diagnostics, such as Raman spectroscopy, could enable early detection of infections. Additionally, biocompatible adjuncts like ultrasound-responsive microbubbles hold promise for enhanced drug delivery and biofilm disruption, particularly important as antibiotic resistance rises worldwide. Summary By combining advancements in diagnostics, device design, and patient-specific surgical techniques, we can create a future where implantable urological devices offer men a significant improvement in quality of life with minimal infection risk.