Effect of autologous muscle-derived cells in the treatment of urinary incontinence in female patients with intrinsic sphincter deficiency and epispadias: A prospective study

Objectives To evaluate the effect of autologous muscle‐derived cells injection in the treatment of complicated stress urinary incontinence in female patients. Methods Female patients presenting with severe and complicated stress urinary incontinence secondary to the bladder neck and/or urethral trauma or congenital epispadias (with or without exstrophy) were enrolled in this prospective study. They underwent transurethral injection of autologous muscle‐derived cells. In selected cases, another injection was given after 6 months, as per the surgeon's assessment. All patients were monitored for 1 year, and the effect of autologous muscle‐derived cells was evaluated by cough stress test, 1‐h pad test and Incontinence Impact Questionnaire‐short form score. A multichannel urodynamic study and maximum urethral closure pressure were carried out before and 12 months after the last treatment session. Cough stress test, 1‐h pad test and uroflowmetry were repeated 36 months after the last injection. Severity and occurrence of complications were recorded at each visit. Results All 10 patients who completed the study were monitored for 36 months. Three patients were cured, four had improved and three did not respond to the treatment. There was no major adverse effect related to the treatment. Conclusions Muscle‐derived cell therapy might represent a minimally‐invasive and a safe procedure in the treatment of patients with severe and complicated stress urinary incontinence.