I looked at this once before for someone.
Here is a link.
http://www.upmccancercenters.com/cancer/prostate/incontinence.html
As you will see in the article, going to a SPECIALIZED facility with HIGHLY EXPERIENCED surgeons is one of the key differentiators when it comes to successful outcomes. Gee, sound familiar to anyone????
Total incontinence after prostatectomy is pretty high when done by less experienced surgeons.
Long-term incontinence
If incontinence persists for more than 18 months, your doctor may suggest one of the following treatments:
•When incomplete closing of the urinary sphincter causes persistent stress incontinence, a series of collagen injections may be given to narrow the bladder neck and reduce leakage.
•Men with overflow incontinence can help prevent too much urine from collecting by learning to insert a catheter periodically to drain their bladder. A condom catheter placed over the end of the penis drains leaking urine into a bag that is worn under the man’s clothing.
•A stricture (narrowing) of the urethra caused by scar tissue can block the flow of urine and result in overflow incontinence. Strictures can be treated by incising the scar tissue surgically or by dilating (stretching) the urethra.
•In severe and persistent cases of incontinence, an artificial sphincter may be implanted surgically.
I don’t know about the success rate for artificial sphincters. I am sure that one of the key factors there is experience of the surgeon as well. I do know that excellent surgeons do surgery at vet hospitals in addition to their teaching hospital surgeries. So checking out top doctors is important.
Pat is the master of finding the right surgeons so maybe she has some pointers for how to find them for urinary sphincter surgery.
It sure doesn’t sound like it could get much worse so it might be worth at least getting the surgery. If it doesn’t work, then he can go to condom catheters with a leg bag.
As you can see in the quote above from the article, what they do depends on the reason for the incontinence.
Do you know if he did kegels after the surgery to gain continence?
Mike
Age 54
10/31/06 dx CIS (TisG3) non-invasive (at 47)
9/19/08 TURB/TUIP dx Invasive T2G3
10/8/08 RC neobladder(at 49)
2/15/13 T4G3N3M1 distant metastases(at 53)
9/2013 finished chemo -cancer free again
1/2014 ct scan results….distant mets
2/2014 ct result…spread to liver, kidneys, and lymph system
My opinions are my own and do not reflect the opinion of ABLCS or anyone else. I am not a doctor nor do I play one on TV.