Immediate effect of electropuncture on urodynamic parameters in post-prostatectomy incontinence: a case report.

Abstract

Post-prostatectomy incontinence (PPI) is a common complication of radical prostatectomy, of which stress urinary incontinence (SUI) is the main type.1 It occurs in about 80% of patients undergoing radical prostatectomy, and most patients are able to recover urinary control within 1 year after surgery; however, about 16% of patients have long-term urinary incontinence.2 PPI can seriously affect quality of life. PPI is mainly due to the inevitable damage to urethral sphincter and pelvic floor structure that occurs during the surgical removal of the prostate gland and pelvic lymph nodes. Long-term urinary incontinence without effective bladder filling will lead to a decrease in maximum bladder capacity (MBC) and detrusor underactivity (DUA).3 Electroacupuncture (EA) can improve the degree of urine leakage in PPI.4 Here, we present a case report detailing the immediate effect of abdominal EA on urodynamic parameters in PPI.