Pelvic floor electrical stimulation for postprostatectomy urinary incontinence: a meta-analysis

Urology. 2012 Mar;79(3):552-5. doi: 10.1016/j.urology.2011.10.005.

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the role of electrical stimulation (ES) in the recovery of postprostatectomy urinary incontinence (UI).

Methods: We performed a meta-analysis of all available randomized controlled trials comparing ES enhanced pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) with PFMT alone for postprostatectomy UI. We separated in the analysis the continence rate within 3 months or longer than 6 months after operation, which stand for the early and late recovery of UI after operation, respectively. Relative risk (RR) reductions and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated for categorical outcomes.

Results: Four studies randomizing 210 cases were included in the meta-analysis. Three studies enrolling 186 cases reported the continence rate within 3 months after radical prostatectomy. The pooled analysis did not show that ES improved early recovery of UI better than did PFMT (RR 1.21; 95% CI = 0.95-1.54, P = .12). All 4 studies provided data for 6-12 months after RP; the pooled analysis did not show a relative benefit (RR = 1.03; 95% CI = 0.88-1.20, P = .73).

Conclusion: Based on available evidence, ES enhanced PFMT did not improve the return to continence more than PFMT in men with postprostatectomy UI.

Publication types

  • Meta-Analysis

MeSH terms

  • Electric Stimulation Therapy
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Muscle, Smooth / physiology
  • Pelvic Floor / physiology
  • Postoperative Complications / therapy
  • Prostatectomy* / adverse effects
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / surgery
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
  • Urinary Incontinence / therapy*