Transurethral collagen injections in the therapy of post-radical prostatectomy stress incontinence

Purpose: We report on our initial results with glutaraldehyde cross-linked collagen used as an injectable bulking agent for the therapy of post-radical prostatectomy stress incontinence. Materials and Methods: A total of 19 men underwent collagen injection for treatment of post-radical prostatectomy stress incontinence. Results: Of the 19 patients treated 11 had either a good (4) or improved (7) result, for an overall satisfaction rate of 58% with a followup of 3 to 15 months (mean 10.4). Failure correlated with presence;of bladder neck contracture or scarring and severity of incontinence. Conclusions: Injection of collagen for stress incontinence after radical prostatectomy has an acceptable short-term success rate, particularly in men with milder incontinence and lack of bladder neck scarring.