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.