One of the biggest causes of incontinence in men is prostate problems, even though the prostate does not have any function in the male urinary system. So why are the majority of male urinary incontinence cases related to prostate issues?

The prostate is a small gland located just below the bladder and it is in fact part of the male reproductive systems. The problem is that the urethra, the tube which carries urine from the bladder out of our body runs right through it. As men get older, the prostate often becomes enlarged and inflamed, that is when the problems with passing and retaining urine begin.

Abnormalities of the prostate like enlargement or even a tumour often require surgery. The most common surgery to remove parts or the whole prostate gland is called Prostectomy.

Prostectomy is a very complex surgical intervention and many times due to the proximity of the prostate to the sphincter valve, this valve can be damaged resulting in leakages of various degrees.

Up until now the only solution for the problem was to implant a manually activated artificial sling to the scrotum, but many men are reluctant to the thought of having to press a button to urinate.

Now a new sling made out of a special plastic mesh is being implanted in men who lost control of their bladder after a prostate surgery. Over the past 18 months this new device called the AdVance male sling is being tested and results are very promising.

The hammock shaped sling was designed to give support to the damaged sphincter valve. The procedure takes no longer than 45 minutes and is carried out under general anaesthetic and normally patients are discharged one day after surgery.

Official data are yet to be published about this new technique but according to reports from patients and doctors the sling seems to significantly benefit 50 to 70 per cent of men who had it implanted.