Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

David R Staskin

Publications and source records attributed to David R Staskin.

6 recordsLinked to original sources

Synthetic slings: pros and cons.

Historically, the choice of sling material for the treatment of urinary incontinence has been based on the surgeon's preference and experience. In general, pelvic surgeons have not differentiated artificial graft materials by their inherent qualities or for biocompatibility in the female pelvis and vaginal wall. The introduction of new artificial graft materials and new methods of implantation for the correction of genuine stress incontinence has generated renewed interest in the "pros and cons" associated with nonabsorbable material use. In this review, we discuss and differentiate sling materials and techniques. We consider some of the physical and biologic qualities of artificial graft materials, present theories and practices associated with the successful use of permanent grafts, and discuss the natural evolution of artificial graft slings to the current use of the tension-free vaginal tape and Suprapubic Arc Sling System (American Medical Systems, Minneapolis, MN).

Biocompatible Materials↗

Advances in drug delivery: improved bioavailability and drug effect.

Alterations in drug delivery produce substantial changes in the bioavailability of anticholinergic agents. These bioavailability differences change the efficacy and tolerability of this drug class, which consistently enhances patient compliance and overall drug effect. In order for drug delivery to alter successfully the bioavailability of a specific agent, the metabolism of that agent and the effect of the degradatory pathway on drug-parent compound levels need to be established. This will enable researchers to design improved or altered delivery pathways to maximize the benefits of these agents. Intestinal metabolism is known to affect certain agents, specifically oxybutynin chloride. Therefore, delivery techniques have been designed that either substantially lower or totally bypass intestinal (presystemic) metabolism. These alternate paths include extended-release oral, cutaneous, intravesical, and intravaginal routes. In addition, improvements in drug delivery have also been found to influence positively efficacy and tolerability profiles associated with tolterodine tartrate, another anticholinergic agent. A long-acting oral formulation has been shown to increase drug efficacy while decreasing tolerability concerns and side effects such as xerostomia. These salubrious effects are, in part, due to the more stable serum-drug concentrations that are imparted by this long-acting formulation.

Biological Availability↗

Future studies of overactive bladder: the need for standardization.

Clinicians and researchers agree that pharmacologic studies of the overactive bladder (OAB) require precise planning, strict adherence to study design, and meticulous attention to study conduct and statistical methods. In addition, there should be straightforward and highly directed formulation of the conclusions derived expressly from data that have been collected. The exact methods to achieve these ends, however, are often debated among statisticians and experts in study design and by physicians who interpret the clinical implications of the findings. For these reasons, the conclusions of clinical research in OAB are commonly criticized on the basis of study objectives, study design, statistical methods, or conclusions. However, a subtler, but possibly more critical problem exists: the method of defining the population and the methods for collecting the data for the efficacy outcome parameters, including frequency, urgency, and urge incontinence.

Adult↗

Autologous and synthetic urethral slings for female incontinence.

Over the past decade, urethral slings have emerged as the procedure of choice for the surgical correction of most types of female urinary stress incontinence. A variety of materials, autologous, alloplastic, and synthetic, have been used successfully as urethral slings. In the next decade, it is hoped that a better understanding of the factors that influence surgical success will translate into continued refinement of surgical technique.

Biocompatible Materials↗