Adjustable male sling: our experiences with placement of adjustable male sling, including a case of exstrophy-epispadias: initial report.

PURPOSE

To present our experience of using an adjustable male sling, Argus® (Promedone SA; Cordoba, Argentina), in patients with stress urinary incontinence (SUI), and report its success, extension of indications, and management of complications.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We retrospectively evaluated Argus implantation results in 17 patients, including 15 post prostatectomy incontinence, one exstrophy-epispadias, and one neurogenic bladder patient. Of 17 patients, 12 had severe (more than 5 pads daily) and 5 had moderate SUI (2 to 5 pads daily). Seven patients had history of previous surgeries. Patients were evaluated pre-operatively with urodynamic study and cystoscopy.

RESULTS

After median follow-up of 11.8 months (range, 3 to 22 months), 9 patients were continent, 7 had mild SUI (1 pad daily), and one had the device removed due to perineal and bladder symptoms. Argus adjustment was done in 10 out of 17 patients; 8 tightening and 2 loosening. In a totally incontinent exstrophy-epispadias patient with a history of multiple bladder surgeries, continence was achieved after device readjustment. In a patient with neurogenic bladder with a history of cystoplasty, severe SUI changed into a moderate sporadic SUI. In 2 patients, prosthesis infection occurred, which was managed with antibiotics without the need for Argus explantation.

CONCLUSION

Argus is a simple and good device to control incontinence in men. It may also be used in exstrophy-epispadias patient who is not a candidate for urinary sphincter implantation. Infection complication may be managed conservatively. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of successful Argus implantation in exstrophy-epispadias patient.