A brief educational intervention improves urologists' confidence in urethral instrumentation in men with an artificial urinary sphincter

Gaspar C1, Pinto V1, Anzolch K2, de Bessa J3, Prezotti J4, Barros I1, Martins J5, Silva J6, Gomes C1

Research Type

Pure and Applied Science / Translational

Abstract Category

Male Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (LUTS) / Voiding Dysfunction

Abstract 350
Open Discussion ePosters
Scientific Open Discussion Session 101
Thursday 18th September 2025
10:40 - 10:45 (ePoster Station 1)
Exhibition
Stress Urinary Incontinence Incontinence Male
1. Division of Urology, University of São Paulo School of Medicine, São Paulo, Brazil, 2. Urology Department, Hospital Moinhos de Vento, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, 3. Surgery department, Feira de Santana State University, Bahia, Brazil, 4. Hospital Santa Rita de Cássia, Espírito Santo, Brazil, 5. Division of Urology, Hospital Universitário Cassiano Antônio de Moraes, Espírito Santo, Brazil, 6. Division of Urology, Rio de Janeiro State University, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Presenter
V

Vicktor Bruno Pereira Pinto
Division of Urology, University of São Paulo School of Medicine, São Paulo, Brazil
Links

Abstract

Hypothesis / aims of study 
Urethral instrumentation (UI) in patients with an artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) requires specific technical considerations due to the risk of urethral erosion, which can have serious clinical and legal implications. Many urologists lack preparation to perform UI in AUS patients and may be required to do so in an urgent situation. We assessed the impact of an educational activity (EA) on urologists' self-reported confidence in performing UI in AUS patients.
Study design, materials and methods 
Urologists and urology residents were invited to participate in an EA during a large national urology meeting in Brazil in November 2023. The intervention consisted of a training session with learning objectives focused on understanding AUS components and mechanisms, device activation/deactivation, and proper catheter use. Participants received instructions from experienced practitioners, who provided an overview of device components and mechanism, followed by a supervised, hands-on urethral catheterization practice using a simplified model. The impact of the EA was assessed through pre- and post-session tests.
Results 
A total of 100 urologists and 35 urology residents participated, with a mean age of 38.6 ± 10.2 years, and 106 (76.3%) were men. The mean time for the EA, including pre- and post-test evaluations, was 15 minutes. Before the EA, 46 participants (34.1%) reported confidence in performing UI in a patient with an AUS if required to do so in an urgent situation, while 89 (65.9%) indicated they would require assistance from an experienced urologist or refer the patient. Post-training, 111 (88.8%; p<0.001) felt confident to independently perform the procedure in urgent situations. Significant improvements in confidence were observed across all evaluated competencies related to UI in men with an AUS, including the ability to open the cuff, deactivate device with cuff open, select appropriate catheter diameter, determine safe duration of urethral catheterization, and reactivate device after UI (Table1).
Interpretation of results 
This study showed that brief, focused training in urethral catheterization for AUS patients significantly enhances urologists' confidence and skill in UI.
Concluding message 
Further studies are needed to assess the long-term effects of this training on reducing UI-related complications in AUS patients.
Figure 1
Disclosures
Funding no funding Clinical Trial No Subjects None
13/08/2025 19:24:42