Current status of urethral occlusive devices in management of urinary incontinence

Treatment of outlet incontinence with urethral occlusive devices encompasse s simple and complex modalities. The implantable artificial urinary sphinct er has been used for 25 years, and a growing fund of clinical information i s available to define its indications. Other simple occlusive devices are a vailable that provide an effective, nonsurgical and reversible treatment, T he present review summarizes recent clinical investigations into the safety and efficacy of urethral occlusive devices. (C) 2000 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.