BLADDER NECK SUSPENSION USING BONE ANCHORS FOR THE TREATMENT OF FEMALE STRESS-INCONTINENCE

A new technique and related devices for the treatment of urinary incon tinence 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 ni ckel titanium alloy (Nitinol) attached to Polypropylene or Cortex sutu re. A spring-loaded bone anchor inserter drives the anchors through th e vaginal wall to a predetermined depth into the pubic bone medulla re gardless of the bone's hardness, with no incision or drilling required . The device allows for the performance of a minimally invasive transv aginal bladder neck suspension. The procedure has minimal morbidity an d a short learning curve. This technique was evaluated clinically in 1 5 women with incontinence, with a mean follow-up of 6 months. Good uri nary continence was achieved in all patients, with no mechanical failu res.