Long-term clinical results using the artificial urinary sphincter around bowel.

Four patients are presented in whom bowel was used to reconstruct a bladder. As a sphincteric mechanism was absent in all 4, the cuff from the artificial urinary sphincter was placed around the bowel to provide continence. This allowed for "normal" urination. The longest follow-up period was 11 years and the shortest 1.5 years. Both clinical and experimental data show that bowel will tolerate compression from the artificial urinary sphincter provided infection does not supervene and the pressure does not exceed 80 cm of water.