The use of the bladder neck support prosthesis in combined genuine stress incontinence and detrusor instability

Abstract

The Bladder Neck Support Prosthesis (BNSP) was used in 21 women with combined genuine stress incontinence (GSI) and detrusor instability (DI). Outcomes included frequency volume charts, pad tests, voiding cystometry and quality of life scores, up to the sixth month. Of the 21 recruits, 5 never wore the BNSP home, leaving 16 participants. A further 2 did not reach week 4 because of poor efficacy or inability to fit the device. In the 14 who reached week 4, the median number of leaks/day declined from 4.3 to 1.0 (p = 0.002). Median pad test loss fell from 53 to 7 mL (p = 0.012). Cystometry showed an increase in maximum bladder capacity (p < 0.05) and a modest reduction in severity of detrusor instability, with no evidence of outflow obstruction. Three further women discontinued because of poor efficacy (2) or a poorly fitting device (1), leaving 11 of 16 participants (69%) at week 8, when median pad test loss fell to 2 mL. The BNSP is a useful option in patients with the unfortunate combination of an unstable bladder and an incompetent urethra, but requires careful fitting and attention to detail.