[Prospective study of the therapeutic usefulness and safety of a new disposable intraurethral occlusive device (Uriabsorber) for female stress urinary incontinence].

OBJECTIVES: To determine the therapeutic usefulness and side effects of a new disposable intraurethral device (Uriabsorber) for female stress urinary incontinence. METHODS: A prospective study was performed in a cohort of 48 women (mean age 42.7 yr.) consulting because of urinary incontinence with coughing. Lack of manual ability or difficulty to understand, pregnancy, puerperium, vaginitis, urinary tract infection and current administration of active treatment for urinary incontinence were all exclusion criteria. Patients were instructed about the use of the device. Two visits were performed: one after two weeks and the other at the end of the month. Clinical results were collected and urine analysis was performed. A multivariate statistical analysis was performed to determine what variables influenced the final result. RESULTS: Treatment withdrawal rate was 42% after one month, being most withdrawals before 14 days (19 cases, 40%). The causes of withdrawal were local discomfort (11 cases, 23%) and difficult insertion (3 cases, 6%). There were only five cases (10%) of urinary tract infection, and two cases (4%) of macroscopic hematuria. The presence of cystocele was associated with higher frequency of complications (80%). 79% of the patients completing the month of treatment had positive results (50% resolution of incontinence and 29% improvement). Multivariate statistical analysis showed that variables independently influencing the results were: incontinence intensity (the lower the intensity, the better the results), presence of urinary tract symptoms (the lower the intensity of the symptoms, the better the results), and absence of past history of pathology. CONCLUSIONS: The intraurethral disposable device significantly reduces the rate of urinary tract infections. Tolerance depends on the ability and motivation of the patients. It is indicated in the control of non intense urinary incontinence in motivated patients, without evident cystocele.