The continence control pad--a new external urethral occlusion device in the management of stress incontinence.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the use of an external urethral occlusion pad (the continence control pad, CCP) in the management of stress incontinence.

PATIENTS AND

METHODS

Nineteen women (median age 47 years, range 36-72) complaining of stress incontinence were taught to use the CCP. The patients were assessed during the week before, and again after using the CCPs for 2 weeks, by urinary diaries, pad-tests and a review of their symptoms.

RESULTS

Use of the CCP was associated with a cure or improvement in 17 women, as assessed by the number of incontinent episodes per week. There was a significant decrease in both the number of incontinent episodes (P < 0.001) and pad-test leakage (P = 0.002) when using the CCP. Minor difficulties in placement and removal were described in a minority of women.

CONCLUSION

The CCP offers a simple, non-invasive treatment for women complaining of stress incontinence. The short-term success rate was better than that with other conservative methods of treatment, is independent of the general practitioner and safe. It is a promising home-based method of managing stress incontinence.