The first results of the use of stem cells in the treatment of stress urinary incontinence in women

Introduction. Stress urinary incontinence is a problem not only for the female, but is also a social, medical and economic issue for the community. The main method of treating stress urinary incontinence in women is surgical intervention with the use of synthetic mesh tape. Possibilities of intra and post-surgical complications is a major setback of surgical treatment. Attempts to restore/improve urethral sphincter functions by implanting stem cells has become a perspective method. Methods and materials. Ten female patients from the Urological Clinic of the Grodno State Medical University were chosen for treatment using autologous mesenchymal stem cells. All of them were undergone tourological and gynecological examinations. All chosen patients filled in an Incontinence Quality of Life questionnaire, related to the continention of urine before and after the implant of stem cells. After the explantation of fatty tissue, autologous mesenchymal stem cells were extracted and cultivated, a mixture of stem cells with a gelatine-based substance. Stem cells were introduced para-urethrally and into the urethral wall. Results. After 12 months after the implant 9 women completely retained urine during physical activity. No imperative disorders noted. One patient continued losing urine during physical activity, and her condition remained without improvement. Conclusion. A positive result by criteria of urine retention, urination disorder, and a subjective evaluation of quality of life was achieved in 90% of patients. A lack of even a small positive effect on one patient gives evidence to pathological changes in the organs of the genitourinary, in which stem cell therapy has a low effectiveness. First results inspire a careful optimism, but a continuation of research is required due to a small number of observations.