Prospective Comparative Study of EMSella Therapy and Surgical Anterior Colporrhaphy for Urinary Incontinence: Outcomes and Efficacy

TL;DR

This study compares EMSella therapy and anterior colporrhaphy for treating urinary incontinence in menopausal women with cystocele, finding each has distinct advantages.

Contribution

The study provides a direct comparison of non-invasive EMSella therapy and surgical anterior colporrhaphy for UI and cystocele, highlighting their efficacy and recovery profiles.

Findings

Anterior colporrhaphy achieved better anatomical correction and lower recurrence rates compared to EMSella therapy.

EMSella therapy allowed faster recovery and had fewer complications, making it a safer alternative for some patients.

Both treatments improved quality of life, but surgical outcomes showed more significant score reductions.

Abstract

Background: This prospective comparative study investigates urinary incontinence (UI), often associated with grade 2 cystocele, a condition that poses significant physical, emotional, and social challenges for affected women. While anterior colporrhaphy remains the gold standard for anatomical correction, non-invasive alternatives such as EMSella therapy have gained increasing attention. The study compares the outcomes of these two distinct approaches in managing UI and the associated pelvic organ prolapse. Materials and Methods: This study involved 133 menopausal women with grade 2 cystocele and UI, including 78 treated with anterior colporrhaphy and 55 with EMSella therapy, across two Romanian healthcare centers. Outcomes were assessed through prolapse reduction (POP-Q), bladder function normalization, recurrence rates, quality of life (PFDI-20, PFIQ-7), patient satisfaction, complication rates, recovery times, and social or professional disruptions. Results: Anterior colporrhaphy was more effective in anatomical correction (88% vs. 64% achieving stage 0 prolapse) and bladder function normalization (72% vs. 55%, p = 0.04), with lower one-year recurrence rates (14% vs. 31%, p = 0.03). EMSella therapy allowed faster recovery, with 91% resuming daily activities within a week. Both groups showed improvement in quality of life, but reductions in PFDI-20 and PFIQ-7 scores were more significant after surgery. EMSella had fewer infections and no dyspareunia, reflecting a better safety profile. Conclusions: EMSella therapy and anterior colporrhaphy significantly benefit managing UI associated with grade 2 cystocele. While anterior colporrhaphy provides definitive anatomical correction and superior long-term outcomes, EMSella therapy represents a safer, less invasive alternative with rapid recovery, making it ideal for patients with mild conditions or surgical contraindications. Treatment should be tailored to individual patient needs and preferences.

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