A trial comparing 2 devices to help men with urine leakage after prostate cancer surgery (MASTER)
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This trial compared 2 devices to help men with urine leakage (urinary incontinence) after having surgery for prostate cancer.
The trial was open for people to join between 2014 and 2017. The team published the results in 2021. There is a link to more information in the ‘Summary of results’ section below.
More about this trial
Doctors can treat prostate cancer with surgery to remove all or part of the prostate gland. As with all types of surgery there may be long term side effects. One possible long term side effect of prostate surgery is a problem controlling the flow of urine (urinary incontinence).
Doctors can help by fitting a device to help men control the flow of urine. When this trial was done, there were 2 options.
The first device is an artificial urinary sphincter.
This involves putting an inflatable ring around the tube that carries the urine from the bladder to the outside of the body (the urethra). This is attached to a small pump in the scrotum. You deflate the ring when you want to pass urine.
The second device is a male sling.
This is a flexible net that goes around the urethra. It acts like a hammock providing support for the urethra. It is slightly simpler to fit than the sphincter and doesn’t need a pump to work.
This trial was done to compare the two devices.
The main aim of the trial was to find out if there was any difference in:
- the cost of fitting the two devices
- the side effects or complications
- the effect on quality of life and general health
- what men think about having the operation and using the device
Summary of results
We aim to add a lay summary of results to all the trials on our database. Unfortunately we have not been able to include a summary for this one.
There is more information about the results in the link below.
Please note, the information we link to here is mostly not in plain English. It has been written for healthcare professionals and researchers.
Outcomes of a Noninferiority Randomised Controlled Trial of Surgery for Men with Urodynamic Stress Incontinence After Prostate Surgery (MASTER)
P Abrams and others
European Urology, 2021. Volume 79, issue 6, pages 812-823.
Synthetic sling or artificial urinary sphincter for men with urodynamic stress incontinence after prostate surgery: the MASTER non-inferiority RCT
L Constable and others
Health Technology Assessment, 2022. Volume 26, issue 36 (includes a plain English summary on page 23).
Recruitment start:
Recruitment end:
How to join a clinical trial
Please note: In order to join a trial you will need to discuss it with your doctor, unless otherwise specified.
Chief Investigator
Professor Paul Abrams
Supported by
NIHR Evaluation
Trials and Studies Coordinating Centre (NETSCC)
NIHR Health Technology Assessment (HTA) programme
North Bristol NHS Trust
If you have questions about the trial please contact our cancer information nurses
Freephone 0808 800 4040
