A Multicenter Evaluation of Urinary Incontinence Management and Outcome in Spina Bifida

Purpose: We describe urinary continence management and outcome in patients with spina bifida to identify the procedures that are most successful.Materials and Methods: In a multicenter retrospective cohort study medical charts were studied. At the same time in a cross-sectional survey sociodemographic characteristics, orthopedic features and urinary continence were described based on the frequency of leakage from the viewpoint of patients or close relatives using a Likert scale of 5 items, namely 1—leakage permanent to 5—leakage never.Results: A total of 421 patients were included, of whom 191 (45%) had been medically treated with a normal voiding pattern according to the patient viewpoint in 21%, clean intermittent catheterization in 61% and no specific bladder emptying method in 18%. The mean leakage score ± SD was 2.74 ± 1.55. On the other hand, 230 patients (55%) were surgically treated. Except for 23 patients who underwent noncontinent urinary diversion 207 were considered for treatment and continenc...