An Accurate Description for Patients Considering Artificial Sphincter Surgery at Perito Urology.
An artificial urinary sphincter is a surgical device that allows the incontinent male to be continent by transferring fluid from one part of the device to another. The artificial urinary sphincter comprises three components: urethral cuff, pump and a pressure balloon. All components are concealed within the body and cannot be seen from the outside.
Most men seeking an artificial sphincter find themselves rendered incontinent by surgical procedures for prostate. During these procedures the muscle necessary for continence is injured. The urethral cuff helps induce continence by providing the “muscle” necessary to stop the outflow of urine. The cuff wraps around the urethra at its most fortified point. A pressure balloon situated behind the abdominal wall muscles supplies the “squeeze” necessary to inhibit urinary leakage. Finally the pump resides in the patient’s scrotum. When the patient squeezes the pump saline (sterile salt water) transfers from the urethral cuff to the pressure balloon allowing the patient the time to void. The cuff spontaneously refills rendering the patient continent again.
Using techniques similar to the minimally invasive penile implant (The Perito Implant™), we are able to implant all the aforementioned components through a one-inch incision between the scrotum and the anus. The procedure can be performed safely under general, spinal or local anesthesia in less than 15 minutes. The procedure can be outpatient or overnight depending upon what is both safest and most convenient for the patient.
Normally, patients can have the artificial urinary sphincter activated between 4 and 6 weeks.
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