Female Urinary Incontinence Surgeries Go Head-to-Head

Albo said studies are under way comparing these newer procedures to both the standard Burch and sling.

"We are in the middle of trials looking at new procedures," added co-author Dr. Linda Brubaker, a professor of obstetrics/gynecology and urology at Loyola University. "These newer procedures are becoming more common," she said.

Another issue surrounding these procedures is sexual function. While data on which procedure is best in terms of sexual function has not been released, Brubaker said that, typically, "When incontinence improves, sexual function responds as well."

Incontinence is more than just an annoyance, she added. "Incontinence is not painful or life-threatening," Brubaker said. "But, it dramatically decreases the quality of life for women," she said.

One expert believes the study will help doctors and patients in choosing which procedure is best for them.

"Incontinence is fixable," said Dr. John Lavelle, the director of urophysiology at the University of North Carolina. "At least half the patients will be symptom-free after treatment," he said.

Based on this study, patients will most likely opt for the sling, Lavelle said. "There is no answer about whether the mesh sling is better or worse than the tissue sling, although more women seem to be opting for the mesh sling," he said.

Lavelle agreed that treating incontinence can improve sexual function. "A lot of women will tend not to have intercourse with their partner, because they are afraid of being wet," he said. "So, when they are fixed and they are dry, they probably resume sexual activity," he added.

In another presentation scheduled for the same meeting, researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine used stem cells to treat women with stress urinary incontinence. The procedure strengthened patients' sphincter muscles, providing them with long-term improvement.

Of the eight women in the trial, five reported improvement in bladder control and quality of life with no serious short- or long-term adverse effects one year after treatment.

"This clinical trial is extremely encouraging, given that 13 million people in the United States, most of them women, cope with stress urinary incontinence," lead researcher Dr. Michael B. Chancellor, a professor of urology and gynecology, said in a prepared statement. "We're demonstrating for the first time that we may be able to offer people with stress urinary incontinence a long-term and minimally invasive treatment option."

More information

Learn more about urinary incontinence at the American Academy of Family Physicians.

SOURCES: Michael E. Albo, M.D., associate professor, surgery, University of California, San Diego; Linda Brubaker, M.D., professor, obstetrics/gynecology and urology, Loyola University, Maywood, Ill.; John Lavelle, M.B., director, urophysiology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill; May 24, 2007,The New England Journal of Medicine; May 21, 2007, news release, University of Pittsburgh