Bladder neck suspension using bone anchors for the treatment of female stress incontinence.
A new technique and related devices for the treatment of urinary incontinence in women was developed and tested. The technique involves soft tissue to bone fixation by means of miniature bone anchors and a bone anchor inserter. The novel bone anchors are made of a shape-memory nickel titanium alloy (Nitinol) attached to Polypropylene or Gortex suture. A spring-loaded bone anchor inserter drives the anchors through the vaginal wall to a predetermined depth into the pubic bone medulla regardless of the bone's hardness, with no incision or drilling required. The device allows for the performance of a minimally invasive transvaginal bladder neck suspension. The procedure has minimal morbidity and a short learning curve. This technique was evaluated clinically in 15 women with incontinence, with a mean follow-up of 6 months. Good urinary continence was achieved in all patients, with no mechanical failures.