The use of an artificial urinary sphincter in women with type III incontinence and a negative Marshall test

PURPOSE: We evaluate the efficacy of the AMS 800 artificial urinary sphincter in women with type III incontinence. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We enrolled 207 women with genuine stress incontinence due to intrinsic sphincter deficiency. Primary inclusion criterion was a negative Marshall test. A modified surgical procedure was used to implant the AMS 800 through an abdominal approach, with placement of the cuff around the bladder neck between the periurethral fascia and vagina. Followup data were available for 206 women, including 179 with nonneurogenic and 27 with neurogenic bladders (mean followup 3.9 years). RESULTS: There were 12 (5.9%) explantations due to the prosthesis either through an erosion, extrusion or both that were necessary. The only significant risk factor for explantation was perioperative injury. This injury resulted in 8 explantations in 49 patients compared with 4 in 155 who did not have such injuries (p = 0.0016). Of the 190 patients with working devices continence was achieved in 88.7% (49 of 168) and 81.8% (18 of 22) of those with nonneurogenic and neurogenic bladders, respectively. Social continence (slight leakage but no pad use) was reported by 7.7% (13 of 168) and 9.1% (2 of 22) of patients in the nonneurogenic and neurogenic groups, respectively. The remaining patients reported leakage and pad use. CONCLUSIONS: The AMS 800 can be used successfully to treat women with genuine stress incontinence due to intrinsic sphincter deficiency. The modified surgical approach resulted in fewer perioperative injuries and, consequently, a low explantation rate. Women with genuine stress incontinence, a low urethral closure pressure and negative Marshall test indicating severe intrinsic sphincter deficiency are potential candidates for artificial urinary sphincter implantation.     

Posterior approach to the bladder for implantation of the 800 AMS artificial sphincter in children and adolescents: techniques and results in eight patients]

Blind dissection of the bladder neck during implantation of an artificial urinary sphincter (AMS 800) may lead to injury of either the bladder, genital tract or even the rectum. Significant bleeding may occur. A posterior approach to the bladder neck allowing visual control of the anatomical structures is described. From November 1995 to February 1998, 8 adolescents (12-19 years old) underwent AMS 800 artificial urinary sphincter implantation for the treatment of severe incontinence associated with neurogen bladder; one patient had had a previous augmentation. Three had a simultaneous ileocystoplasty and another patient had a simultaneous bilateral extravesical ureteric reimplant. The procedure consisted of separation of the bladder from the peritoneum, allowing the development of a dissection plane between the rectum and genital tracts posteriorly and the ureters and bladder neck anteriorly; the dissection is extended to the base of the prostate. The endopelvic fascia is then incised laterally and on both sides the neurovascular bundles are perforated under visual control and the cuff is positioned safely around the bladder neck, above the prostate and in front of the genital tract. The bladder was opened only in the case of associated ileocystoplasty, thus avoiding prolonged bladder drainage. The mean operating time was 2.5 hours and the blood loss never exceeded 300 cc. This route was not found to be convenient in the case of the patient with a previous augmentation; 7 sphincters function normally with a follow-up of 18 to 44 months; one was never activated and the patient is dry under CIC. This route for exposure of the bladder neck allows visual control of the anatomical structures, accurate positioning of the cuff, avoids bladder opening and reduces bleeding. It can be used for other procedures such as bladder neck suspension or Müllerian cavity removal.     

The Indiana experience with artificial urinary sphincters in children and young adults

PURPOSE: We reviewed a 22-year single institutional experience with the artificial urinary sphincter in children and adolescents. To our knowledge this report represents the largest series in the world in children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between 1980 and 2002, 142 patients underwent implantation of an artificial urinary sphincter, of whom 93 males and 41 females with a median age of 10 years (range 3 to 39) were available for analysis. A total of 59 patients initially received an AMS 742/792 (American Medical Systems, Inc., Minnetonka, Minnesota) artificial urinary sphincter, of whom 33 were subsequently changed to an AMS 800, while 75 initially received an AMS 800 model. Sphincter followup was terminated at device removal or at the last documented contact. The etiology of incontinence was neuropathic bladder in 107 cases (80%), the exstrophy/epispadias complex in 21 (16%) and other in 6 (4%). Outcome measures included continence, mechanical complications (leakage, tube kink and pump malfunction), functioning sphincter revisions (change in cuff size, pump repositioning and bulbar cuff placement), surgical complications (erosion, infection and misplacement) and associated surgical procedures. Mean followup of the pre-800 and 800 models was 6.9 (range 0.2 to 21.5) and 7.5 years (range 0.1 to 17.1), respectively. Fisher's exact test, Kaplan-Meier life analysis and the chi-square test were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: After artificial urinary sphincter placement in the 134 patients continence was achieved in 86%, improved in 4% and not achieved in 10%. Of those with a sphincter in place 92% were continent. In terms of bladder emptying after artificial urinary sphincter insertion 22% of patients voided, 11% voided combined with clean intermittent catheterization, 48% performed clean intermittent catheterization only via the urethra, 16% performed it via a catherizable channel and 3% used urinary diversion. A mechanical complication developed in 38 of the 59 patients (64%) with pre-800 model compared with 33 of the 109 (30%) with the 800 model (p <0.0001). A mechanical complication occurred every 7.6 versus 16 patient-years for the pre-800 versus 800 models (p = 0.0001). Revision was required in 15 of the 59 patients (25%) with a pre-800 model versus 17 of the 109 (16%) with the 800 model (p = 0.103). Revision was performed every 22.7 versus 44.3 patient-years for the pre-800 versus the 800 model (p = 0.023). The artificial urinary sphincter eroded in 11 of the 59 patients (19%) with the pre-800 versus 17 of the 109 (16%) with the 800 model (p = 0.52). Ten patients experienced a total of 12 perforations of the augmented bladder after artificial urinary sphincter implantation. A total of 164 secondary surgical procedures were performed, including 38 of 134 bladder augmentations (28%). A total of 30 sphincters were permanently removed. CONCLUSIONS: The artificial urinary sphincter is the only bladder neck procedure that allows spontaneous voiding in the neuropathic population, obviates the need for clean intermittent catheterization and yet is compatible with it when necessary. It is also equally versatile in the 2 genders. Mechanical complications occur but they were dramatically decreased by the modifications of the AMS 800 model. In addition, secondary bladder augmentation was required in 28% of our patients. Lifelong followup is mandatory in all patients with an artificial urinary sphincter.     

Management of cuff erosion of the double cuff artificial urinary sphincter

PURPOSE: We report on a series of patients with erosion of 1 cuff of an AMS800 double cuff artificial urinary sphincter and determine the success rate of removing the eroded cuff, leaving the other components behind and converting the device to a single cuff system. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In 9 patients with a double cuff artificial sphincter 1 eroded cuff was removed and the system was converted to a single cuff sphincter. RESULTS: Followup was based on an incontinence scoring system. In 1 patient the remaining cuff was removed because it also eroded. In another patient a wound infection developed 5 months after placement and the entire device was removed. The remaining 7 patients had better continence scores than before artificial sphincter placement but each remarked that continence was better with 2 cuffs. CONCLUSIONS: An eroded cuff of a double cuff artificial urinary sphincter system can be successfully removed and the device can be converted to a single cuff system.     

Laparoscopic artificial urinary sphincter in women for type III incontinence: preliminary results

Purpose:To evaluate the feasibility by laparoscopy of the AMS 800 (American Medical Systems, Inc., Minnetonka, Minnesota) artificial urinary sphincter in women with type III incontinence.Materials and methods:Four women with genuine stress incontinence due to intrinsic sphincter deficiency were operated by laparoscopy. Primary criterion was negative Marshall test. One patient had not undergone surgery, and we performed laparoscopic promonto-fixation in the same procedure. Two of the three remaining patients had previous TVT (tension-free vaginal tape) with complications regarding the perforation and erosion of bladder mucosa and urethra. Laparoscopic explantation of TVT was performed 3 months previously. In the last case, previous urethropexy and laparoscopic promonto-fixation in association with TVT were performed 10 years and 1 year ago respectively.A modified surgical procedure was used to implant the AMS 800 through laparoscopic transperitoneal approach, with placement of the cuff around the bladder neck between the periurethral fascia and the vagina.Results:Mean age was 68.5 (50–79) years. Mean closure pressure was 24.5 (20–28) cm. Water. There was no erosion or extrusion. The only significant risk factor was previous surgery. The operative time was less than 3 hours. The hospital stay was 8 days. The mean follow-up was 6 (3–13) months. Activation was done 6 to 8 weeks after implantation. Social continence (1 pad use with moderate leakage) and improvement of quality of life was reported in one patient. In this case the balloon was changed in order to obtain more pressure in the cuff. Resolution of incontinence was achieved in 3 patients.Conclusions:The AMS 800 can be successfully implanted by laparoscopy to treat women with genuine stress incontinence, a low urethral closure pressure and negative Marshall test indicating severe intrinsic sphincter deficiency. A long term follow-up is warranted to determine the efficacy and durability of this procedure.     

An implantable mechanical urinary sphincter: a new nonhydraulic design concept

Objectives. We present data concerning an artificial implantable mechanical urinary sphincter that was designed to eliminate the inherent problems of the current hydraulic artificial urinary sphincter (American Medical System [AMS] 800). Our goal was to design a sphincter that creates urethral compression similar to the AMS 800 but creates the force without the use of fluid, thereby eliminating as much as 50% of the reoperations seen with the AMS 800, which occur because of fluid-related malfunctions.Methods. An implantable artificial mechanical sphincter consisting of a compressive coil encompassed in a polytetrafluoroethylene sheath was devised and tested in 6 live mongrel dogs to establish compressive force versus bladder pressure data, so as to provide data to create a mechanical sphincter for use in humans.Results. A direct relationship between bladder leakage pressure and cable tension force was demonstrated in all 6 experimental animals, thereby creating a mathematical equation that can be used by mechanical engineers to design a mechanical sphincter for use in humans.Conclusions. This study demonstrated that a mechanical urinary sphincter can be created that will provide continence and eliminate the problems associated with the hydraulic aspect of the AMS 800. In doing so, nearly 50% of the reoperations seen with the current AMS 800 can be eliminated, thereby improving the quality of life of patients for whom an artificial urinary sphincter is indicated.     

Intravesical migration of AMS 800 artificial urinary sphincter and stone formation in a patient who underwent radical prostatectomy

A patient who underwent placement of AMS 800 urinary sphincter for incontinence after salvage prostatectomy after radiation therapy failure, experienced urethral erosion of the cuff after 54 months. He was treated with cuff removal and prosthesis deactivation. Thirteen months later, a large bladder stone was removed transvesically, and it contained the reservoir. The remaining sphincter components were also removed. Patients with previous radiotherapy are particularly at risk for sphincter erosion, but intravesical displacement of the reservoir is a very uncommon complication.     

Endoscopic sphincterotomy, artificial AMS 800 sphincter and enlargement enterocystoplasty in the treatment of a dyssynergic neurological bladder

Endoscopic sphincterotomy, AMS 800 artificial urinary sphincter and enlargement cystoplasty for treating a neurologic dyssynergic bladder. Association of endoscopic sphincterotomy made on a first operating time, with AMS 800 artificial sphincter and enlargement cystoplasty is a good choice for treating selected patients with a neurologic dyssynergic bladder. The author report his experience and his technique in a case of congenital malformation of the medullary cone.     

The artificial urinary sphincter AMS 800 in the treatment of complex female urinary incontinence: indications, results, complications and risk factors

Summary Indications, results and complications of 144 women who have undergone implantation of the current model AMS 800 since 1983 and remained in continuous follow-up in our department are presented. Included are 70 patients suffering from stress urinary incontinence (SUI) type III after 208 previously unsuccessful incontinence procedures, 54 patients with incontinence due to neurogenic bladder dysfunction (NBD) and 20 patients with congenital or acquired internal sphincter weakness of other causes. In the NBD group, apart from sphincter implantation a total of 113 additional operations were necessary due to complex malfunctions of the urinary tract: augmentation ileocystoplasty in 51 patients, ureterocystoneostomy in 23 patients and 43 operations at the bladder neck. One hundred and twenty-six patients (86 %) achieved total continence and 5 patients (3 %) were significantly improved. In 9 females (6 %) incontinence persisted, and 4 patients ultimately underwent urinary diversion into a Kock pouch. With the implanted artificial sphincter 116 patients (81 %) are able to empty their bladder spontaneously, without residual urine and without the necessity of intermittent self catheterisation. Under the aforementioned conditions implantation of the artificial urinary sphincter AMS 800 is the most effective therapy for complex female incontinence.      

Local recurrent cancer after radical prostatectomy and incontinence. Is the artificial urinary sphincter a useful therapeutic option?

OBJECTIVE: The artificial sphincter AMS AS 800 is the treatment of choice in postprostatectomy urinary incontinence. However, when the incontinence is combined with a local tumour recurrence, the insertion of an artificial sphincter may pose a problem. Tumour mainly localised at the site of the anastomosis could cause problems with the insertion of the cuff. It is also questionable whether this elaborate and expensive operation is appropriate in patients with a progressive carcinoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The charts of 220 patients who received a bulbar artificial sphincter between 1986 and 1996 were reviewed. Five patients were selected who suffered from simultaneous urinary incontinence and local recurrence of prostate cancer. The follow-up of these patients was between 18 and 70 months. RESULTS: In all 5 patients the implantation of the artificial sphincter at the bulbous urethra could be performed without any complications. All patients were continent during follow-up. Two changes of the cuff were necessary due to tissue shrinkage of the urethra below the cuff. One patient, 2 years after local excision of recurrent prostate cancer, was found, during implantation, to have a macroscopically inconspicuous though histologically tumour-infiltrated area. In the follow-up 5 years after the implantation his prosthesis is still working well. CONCLUSIONS: Even with local recurrence of prostatic carcinoma after radical prostatectomy, the patients' prognosis 'quo ad vitam' is not bad. The follow-up of patients proves that they profit from implantation of an artificial sphincter in terms of better quality of life. Sphincter-related complications are not more frequent than in comparable groups of patients without local recurrence.     

Uneven pressure application by the artificial urinary sphincter: an explanation for tissue ischaemia?

OBJECTIVE: To determine, in an in vitro study, the pressure inside the AMS 800 (American Medical Systems, USA) sphincter placed around porcine intestine and to correlate this with the pressure retention for liquids, in an attempt to explain the increased sensitivity of bowel to ischaemic injury when the artificial urinary sphincter is used around bowel neo-urethral segments. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Segments of porcine intestine were placed in a specially designed mechanical jig and an AMS 800 sphincter placed around the segment. The device was inflated by injecting water and the cuff pressure measured. Water was infused into the bowel and the pressure at which leakage occurred through the sphincter recorded. At each inflation pressure, a catheter-tipped microtransducer was used to measure the pressure inside the cuff-fold. It was then placed in the centre of the cuff lumen, rotated by 360 degrees and the pressure continuously recorded. RESULTS: The cuff occluded the lumen by creating a 'triple-cushion' effect. The fluid retention pressure was 49% of the cuff pressure. There were directional differences in the pressure measured inside the bowel lumen. The pressure was also disproportionately higher inside the cuff folds than in the centre of the sphincter, and increased rapidly with inflation of the cuff. CONCLUSION: The thin wall of the bowel may 'crenate' inside the high-pressure areas in the cuff folds and this may explain the increased sensitivity of bowel to ischaemic injury in such cases.     

人工尿道括约肌治疗尿失禁(附四例报告)

目的　探讨人工尿道括约肌治疗真性尿失禁的效果和安全性。　方法　采用美国AMS公司 80 0型人工尿道括约肌植入治疗 4例真性尿失禁患者 ,记录手术前后的排尿日记 ,尿动力学测定 ,观察其不良反应。　结果　 4例患者人工尿道括约肌植入术后 4～ 6周开通人工尿道括约肌 ,尿失禁得到良好控制 ,恢复自主排尿 ,未出现因感染而取出装置的严重并发症 ;随访 17～ 4 6个月 ,白天或夜间均无漏尿 ,无需尿垫 ,能自主排尿 ,生活质量评分平均 1分。尿动力学测定膀胱顺应性及稳定性良好 ,最大尿道闭合压 8.2～ 9.4kPa ,平均 8.7kPa ,3例无剩余尿 ,1例有少量剩余尿 ,仅 1例曾因机械故障更换控制泵。　结论　人工尿道括约肌植入术治疗真性尿失禁疗效满意 ,手术简单 ,安全可靠 ,无严重并发症。     

Korrektur der Fehlfunktionen von artefiziellen Sphinkterimplantaten (AMS 800®) über einen transskrotalen Zugang

BACKGROUND: The introduction of a transscrotal access for implantation of an artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) offers an alternative to the perineal approach for dealing with post-prostatectomy incontinence. Should a revision be necessary, the entire implant can be explored via this access and only one incision is needed. The aim of our study was to present the advantage of the transscrotal approach in different malfunctions of AUSs (AMS 800). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Surgical exploration was exemplary indicated in three male patients because of recurrent incontinence after artificial sphincter implantation. The reasons for malfunction were urethral atrophy, a mechanical defect of the device, and urethral erosion of the cuff, which led to explantation via the perineal approach of the entire artificial sphincter system. The patient whose sphincter system had a mechanical defect had the entire system substituted by the transscrotal route. In the case of perineal explantation a complete new AMS 800 system was implanted transscrotally at the unaffected bulbar ureter following complete healing. In the case of urethral atrophy a tandem-cuff was implanted by a transscrotal approach. Because of mechanical complications the whole system was exchanged, a completely new AUS (AMS 800) system being implanted by the transscrotal approach after perineal explantation. RESULTS: There were no complications of any of the revision operations. The postoperative course was uneventful and after activation of the system all patients regained their former continence status. Three months after implantation all patients remained continent and their AMS 800 sphincter systems were fully functional. CONCLUSION: When a revision operation is needed, the transscrotal access offers a quick and easy alternative to the perineal method. Our patients had no postoperative complications, and their continence rates were satisfactory. Further studies are needed to reveal whether this approach will prove superior to the perineal approach in the long term.     

MAYO CLINIC LONG-TERM ANALYSIS OF THE FUNCTIONAL DURABILITY OF THE AMS 800 ARTIFICIAL URINARY SPHINCTER: A REVIEW OF 323 CASES

Purpose

We determine the long-term durability of the AMS 800′ artificial urinary sphincter in the correction of severe urinary incontinence, and evaluate mechanical versus nonmechanical failure and reoperation rates before (1983 to 1987) and after (1988 to present) the introduction of the narrow backing occlusive cuff design.' American Medical Systems, Inc., Minnetonka, Minnesota.

Materials and Methods

From January 1983 to October 1994 more than 400 patients received an AMS 800 artificial urinary sphincter placed by 1 surgeon and 323, mean age 60.4 years, met study requirements for review. Mean followup was 68.8 months (range 18 to 153). Only patients with a minimum of 18 months of followup were included in the study. Of the 313 men and 10 women in the study group sphincters were placed at the urethra in 272 and at the bladder neck in 51. All patients were followed from surgery to the date of sphincter failure. Etiology of the failures was recorded and divided into mechanical versus nonmechanical sphincters placed before and after the introduction of the narrow backing cuff.

Results

Overall, 58 of the 139 patients (42%) in the pre-narrow backing cuff group versus 31 of the 184 (17%) in the narrow backing cuff group required a first reoperation. Mechanical failure occurred in 29 cases (21%) with the pre-narrow backing and 14 (7.6%) with the narrow backing cuff. Nonmechanical failure developed in 24 cases (17%) with the pre-narrow backing and 17 (9%) with the narrow backing cuff. Ultimately 437 operations were required in the 323 patients, of whom 234 (72%) required no further surgical intervention at a mean followup of 68.8 months.

Conclusions

Technological advances in the design and construction of the AMS 800 have dramatically decreased the reoperation and failure rates. These advances and improved surgical techniques provide an excellent long-term solution and increased continence in correctly selected patients with urinary incontinence.     

Experiences with the artificial urinary sphincter in the irradiated patient.

The AMS800 artificial urinary sphincter was placed in 16 men who underwent previous pelvic irradiation for adenocarcinoma of the prostate. A total of 13 patients had undergone external beam irradiation and 3 had had iridium seed implants. The sphincteric cuff was placed in the bulbar urethra in all patients, with a pressure regulating balloon of 51 to 60 or 61 to 70 cm. water. Overall social continence rate was 87%. Total complication rate was 25% with a rate of erosion and/or infection of 12.5%. We advocate that with meticulous technique, use of a low pressure balloon and delayed primary cuff activation, the artificial urinary sphincter can be placed with a reasonable success rate in post-irradiated men with urinary incontinence.     

The artificial urinary sphincter in the treatment of incontinence in the female patient

Technical developments have led to a reliable artificial urinary sphincter prosthesis for female patients with otherwise intractable urinary incontinence. Candidates include patients with post-operative stressincontinence or congenital or acquired neuropathic dysfunction. Proper patient selection requires extensive urologic examinations in order to guarantee a high success rate. The most serious complications are due to cuff erosion or infection. With proper operative techniques continence rate is now about 90% in female patients. A new application of the sphincter prosthesis is seen in reconstructive procedures of the lower urinary tract, often with the use of intestinal segments. Careful follow up is warranted in patients with an artificial sphincter since the upper urinary tracts must be monitored and bladder function controlled.     

人工尿道括约肌治疗真性尿失禁

目的：探讨人工尿道括约肌治疗真性尿失禁的效果和安全性。方法：对1例前列腺电切术后尿失禁患者进行AMS800人工尿道括约肌植入治疗。记录植入术前术后的排尿日记，并观察不良反应。结果：施行人工尿道括约肌植入术后6周开通人工尿道括约肌，尿失禁得到良好地控制，恢复自主排尿，未发生并发症，无其他不良反应，结论：人工尿道括约肌植入术是一种安全有效的治疗真性尿失禁的方法。     

Artificial Urinary Sphincter in Patients Following Major Pelvic Surgery and/or Radiotherapy: Are They Less Favorable Candidates?

Between January 1988 and December 1992 the AMS800^* artificial urinary sphincter was inserted in 81 men with urinary incontinence due to major pelvic surgery and/or radiation therapy. Radical retropubic prostatectomy had been performed in 38 men, radical retropubic prostatectomy with adjuvant radiation in 28, definitive radiation therapy for prostatic carcinoma in 5, abdominoperineal resection with adjuvant radiation in 1 and radical cystectomy with orthotopic urinary diversion in 8, while 1 suffered major pelvic trauma with urethral rupture. A bulbar urethral cuff was used exclusively, with pressure regulating balloons of 51 to 60 and 61 to 70 cm. water. The interval for primary activation ranged from 4 to 12 weeks (mean 7.7), with all irradiated patients waiting 12 weeks. Surgical revision was required in 38 percent of the patients totaling 43 operations. Inadequate cuff compression after presumed urethral atrophy secondary to hypovascularity accounted for 74 percent of the procedures, whereas infection with or without erosion necessitated 8 revisions, mostly attributable to improper placement elsewhere of an indwelling catheter after the artificial urinary sphincter had been activated. Mechanical malfunction was responsible for 7 percent of the revisions. Overall, socially acceptable continence was achieved in 91 percent of the study population. Despite a significantly greater need for revision in this high risk group (38 percent versus 22 percent in the literature for low risk groups) with meticulous surgical and sterile techniques as well as diligent followup, the long-term outcome in terms of continence and device survival may be excellent regardless of the underlying etiology. We conclude that use of the AMS800 artificial sphincter for significant male urinary incontinence is undoubtedly the most efficacious treatment currently available for which even the most adverse candidate should not necessarily be excluded.     

Results of the rectus fascial sling and wrap procedures for the treatment of neurogenic sphincteric incontinence

PURPOSE: We assessed the early results of the rectus fascial sling and modified rectus fascial wrap for treating neurogenic sphincteric incontinence in a pediatric population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the charts of all patients who underwent a rectus fascial sling or wrap procedure for neurogenic incontinence at our institution. Most recent status was confirmed by telephone interview as successful-complete day and night dryness, partially successful-occasional daytime wetting and/or nocturnal enuresis and failed-frequent daytime incontinence. Results were analyzed with regard to patient sex, associated bladder augmentation and previous or subsequent anti-incontinence surgery. RESULTS: A total of 27 patients underwent 10 sling and 18 wrap procedures. Five patients in each group were dry after 1 to 4.5 years of followup. Six of the 7 boys were wet and 1 was partially dry postoperatively, while 10 of the 20 girls became dry (p = 0.026 Fisher's exact test), resulting in an overall 36% success rate. In failed cases continence was achieved after periurethral collagen injection and artificial urinary sphincter placement in 0 of 5 and 5 of 6, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Total continence was achieved even after a brief followup in a minority of patients in whom rectus fascia was used to correct neurogenic incontinence. However, our early data suggest that cases in which these procedures fail may be salvaged by artificial urinary sphincter implantation but not by periurethral collagen injection.     

Impact of the new cuff design on reliability of the AS800 artificial urinary sphincter.

The effect of 2 cuff design changes on the mechanical reliability of the current AS800 artificial urinary sphincter was assessed in 126 patients. The surface-treated cuff was introduced in 1983 and the narrow-back design was introduced in 1987. Mean followup for the surface-treated cuff was 40 months, while that for the narrow back was 27.2 months. The incidence of cuff leaks was 1.3%, while the revision rate for clinically significant pressure atrophy, in the absence of a bladder flap urethroplasty, was 2.3%. The overall revision rate for clinically significant pressure atrophy was 9%. No leaks involving the balloon or tubing occurred. The mechanical reliability of the current AS800 artificial urinary sphincter has improved significantly.