Non-surgical Treatment Methods for Urinary Incontinence Following Radical Prostatectomy. Efficacy of pelvic floor muscle training

Introduction:
In the context of an aging society, prostate cancer is becoming an increasingly detected cancer among men, leading to a rising frequency of performed radical prostatectomies, which represent the gold standard of treatment. As the number of procedures increases, so does the incidence of postoperative complications, including stress urinary incontinence, which significantly reduces the quality of life. This issue predominantly affects elderly men, for whom successive interventions are associated with an elevated risk of further complications. Hence, there is a need for the implementation of non-surgical interventions to expedite recovery.

Purpose of the work:
The aim of the article is to review the current state of knowledge on the effectiveness of non-surgical interventions, especially pelvic floor muscle exercises in the rehabilitation of urinary incontinence after radical prostatectomy. We also considered alternative methods that may support the pelvic floor exercise protocol.

Materials and Methods:
The review article was written based on the following databases: PubMed, Google Scholar, Polish Medical Bibliography. The authors tried to use the latest research and meta-analyses from 2016-2023, using the “key words” listed below.

Summary:
Exercises targeting the pelvic floor muscles constitute an effective method for treating urinary incontinence following prostatectomy. Rehabilitation leads to a shortened time for the return to normal continence, a reduction in the frequency of involuntary urination, an improvement in patients' well-being, and a decrease in anxiety and depression symptoms associated with urinary incontinence. Additionally, the incorporation of supplementary techniques such as biofeedback, or acupuncture may have a potentiating effect on therapy.