Abstract
SUBJECT OF THE DEBATE: "Urethral failure is a critical factor in female urinary incontinence Now what?" The CASE FOR by Hokanson, DeLancey pinpointed inadequacy of bladder causation for urgency urinary incontinence (UUI) and poor urethral support for stress urinary incontinence (SUI) as responsible for long-standing lack of progress in incontinence science. They proposed "Urethral failure" as causation for SUI and UUI. The CASE AGAINST, by Peter Petros agrees "abnormal detrusor function as cause for (UUI) is a failed concept, and SUI surgery results are sometimes suboptimal, but rejects "urethral failure" as cause for UUI and SUI. In answer to, "Now what?," Petros presents the Integral Theory System. SUI and UUI are dysfunctions of the bladder's binary control mechanism, mainly ligament laxity because of defective collagen/elastin. The urethra is an emptying tube. Pelvic muscle forces reflexly contract against ligaments to close urethra, open it (micturition) and stretch the vagina underlying urethelial stretch receptors to mechanically support them, preventing premature activation of micturition (UUI). High validated cure rates for SUI and UUI by repair of weakened ligaments question viability of the "urethral failure" concept. CONCLUSIONS: The major achievement of this debate (both sides) is not what causes UUI or SUI, or what doesn't, though clearly, this is important. It is calling out a 50-year ossification of the whole construct of UUI, ranging from flawed definitions to systematic denial of known cures, all of which have stalled treatment of the one billion women who suffer with incontinence. The time has come for change.