Implant of ATOMS® system for the treatment of postoperative male stress urinary incontinence: an Italian multicentric study.

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate efficacy and safety of the ATOMS system for the treatment of postoperative stress urinary incontinence (SUI).

Methods: We included all consecutive male patients referring for postoperative SUI and treated with ATOMS system from June 2013 to July 2017. Patients received anamnesis, 24 h Pad Test, Pad count, physical examination, urodynamic evaluation, ICIQ-UI SF questionnaire. We excluded patients with low bladder capacity and compliance, uncontrolled detrusor overactivity.

Results: We treated 98 patients with median age of 70.21±10.02 years. The most common cause of SUI was open radical prostatectomy in 79 patients. Ten patients had undergone urethrotomy, 7 bladder neck incision, 14 adjuvant radiotherapy. Thirty-nine patients suffered of mild incontinence (24 h Pad Test <200 g), 49 moderate incontinence (200-400 g), 10 severe incontinence (≥400 g). Thirty-one patients underwent previous incontinence surgery: 29 ProACT, 3 artificial urinary sphincters (in 2 cases both devices), 1 bulking agents and subsequent male sling. Median follow-up was 21.5 months. We had a significant reduction of mean 24 h Pads Test, pad count and ICIQ-UI SF questionnaire (P<0.01). At last follow-up 47.96% of patients were dry and 79.59% reached social continence. A high incontinence grade, adjuvant radiotherapy, previous urethral surgery and incontinence surgery have been associated with lower continence results. We had complications in 33 patients (33.7%). The device was removed in 4 cases due to scrotal port erosion and in one case due to persistent pain.

Conclusions: The ATOMS system seems to be an effective and safe surgical treatment for postoperative male SUI.