A Patient's Guide: Urinary Incontinence Control using External
Urethral Compression Devices (Clamps)
by Ralph Alterowitz and Carol Partington (ISBN # 1-929163-19-3)
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One of the most dreaded side effects of prostate cancer treatment
is urinary incontinence. A simple but comprehensive definition
of urinary incontinence is “involuntary loss of urine that
is sufficient to be a problem” (Centers for Medicare and
Medicaid Services).
Nearly all patients undergoing for treatment of prostate cancer
will be incontinent for a short period and some will suffer prolonged
incontinence. Men opting for surgery will usually be incontinent
for a few weeks following the procedure, and many men suffer
prolonged incontinence which may last for years. Radiation therapy
and cryotherapy may also cause incontinence, although not necessarily
immediately following treatment.
Aside from the inconvenience and embarrassment of incontinence,
there are medical, economic, psychological, and social consequences
and costs. Some of these costs are financial, such as the cost
of medical treatment for skin and urinary tract infections and
the costs of incontinence products like absorbent pads, catheters,
and clamps. The psychological and social burdens may be the most
difficult to bear, however. Low self-esteem, depression, anger,
and social isolation may occur resulting in a diminished quality
of life.
A broad range of treatment options is available. These include
medications, dietary management, physiotherapy, surgery, and
supportive measures. Supportive measures include absorbent pads,
catheters, condom-catheters, and external urethral compression
devices, often referred to as penile clamps, or simply clamps.
As the name implies, these devices are placed around the penis
to compress the urethra (the tube which carries urine to the
outside of the body).
Clamps are inexpensive, relatively simple to use, readily available,
and may be covered by insurance, including Medicare when obtained
with a prescription. There are two major types of clamps: rigid/semi-rigid
and strap types. Rigid clamps have a plastic or metal frame whose
shape cannot be altered; semi-rigid clamps have a malleable (bendable)
metal frame. Strap type clamps, as is evident by their name,
consist of a flexible strap. Most clamps have a specially designed
ridge, or hump, the presses on the urethra, thus preventing urine
from flowing to the outside of the body.
The publication, Controlling Urinary Incontinence using
External Urethral Compression Devices (Clamps)
discusses various aspects of incontinence, including types,
consequences, and management options, and provides in-depth
discussion of the use of clamps. Included are detailed descriptions
and photos of available clamps, approximate costs, and contact
information for the manufacturers.
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