[Artificial urinary sphincter in the treatment of urinary incontinence caused by sphincter insufficiency].

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the results relative to continence and the complications of the artificial urinary sphincter in the treatment of urinary incontinence due to sphincter incompetence.

METHODS

The artificial urinary sphincter model AS 800 was implanted in 35 patients with incontinence arising from various causes. Follow-up ranged from 14 to 108 months (mean 39.8). Patients ages ranged from 4 to 68 years (mean 44.4). There were 17 female (49%) and 18 male patients (51%). The cuff was implanted around the bladder neck in 25 patients (71%) and around the bulbous urethra in 10 (29%).

RESULTS

There were 2 mechanical device failures, 2 pump erosion and 1 tube erosion through the abdominal wall in a patient who had had a perforation of an augmentation cystoplasty. Thirty-one patients (88%) became continent. Ten patients (28%) had another operation for device revision or relapse.

CONCLUSION

The artificial urinary sphincter is a valid alternative in the treatment of urinary incontinence due to sphincteric incompetence. It is possible to achieve good continence rates, although there is a high revision rate and lifetime follow-up is required.