Are You a Candidate For Artificial Urinary Sphincter?

About five percent of men who have had a radical prostatectomy for prostate cancer, and a small number of men who have had other types of prostate surgery, may experience severe urinary incontinence that results in significant involuntary urine leakage after surgery. Urinary incontinence can cause depression, loss of self-esteem, and may affect both emotional and sexual well-being.

What is an Artificial Urinary Sphincter?

An artificial urinary sphincter can replace a urinary sphincter that is damaged by surgery on the prostate gland. It is a small device that is implanted in your body to allow you control over your bladder by keeping the urethra closed until you are ready to urinate.

The device is an implantable fluid-filled prosthetic that has a cuff that is implanted around the urethra, which is the tube through which urine flows out of the bladder. There is a pressure-regulating balloon that is implanted behind the pubic bone, next to the bladder, and a pump for your control, implanted in the scrotum. When you are ready to urinate, you only have to squeeze the control pump in the scrotum, which results in opening of the cuff around the urethra, allowing urine to freely pass through. The pressure regulating balloon will automatically cause the cuff to close after urination.

Does It Work?

The artificial urinary sphincter was designed in 1972 by American Medical Systems, and over 50,000 men have been successfully treated. The device has been improved over time, and it is the best available treatment for this problem. The device must be implanted by a surgeon trained in treatment of disorders of the male genitourinary tract, known as a urologist. If you decide to have treatment for your urinary incontinence by implantation of an artificial urinary sphincter, you should choose a urologist who has performed many of these procedures and has the necessary experience and expertise. Dr. Melman is one of New York’s top urologists, and has helped many men with severe urinary incontinence by implantation of an artificial urinary sphincter device. The device has a patient satisfaction rate of over 90%, with most men achieving complete continence after implantation. In rare cases, only minor dribbling occurs, requiring a small pad daily.

If you are troubled by embarrassing and severe urinary incontinence after prostate surgery as a result of urinary sphincter dysfunction, you may be a candidate for implantation of an artificial urinary sphincter. Call our office today at 212-675-3186 to schedule your appointment with Dr. Melman, one of New York’s top urology doctors.