What is an artificial urinary sphincter?

An artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) is an inflatable medical device designed to treat urinary incontinence, which is the involuntary leakage of urine. A surgeon, called a urologist, implants the device around your urethra. The device is filled with fluid, keeping it inflated to prevent urine from leaking out. When you want to urinate, you squeeze a pump placed in your scrotum. This action deflates the AUS, allowing urine to flow out. The device then automatically re-inflates after about three minutes, stopping the flow of urine once again. Another name for an artificial urinary sphincter is an artificial urethral sphincter.

What is a urinary sphincter?

A urinary sphincter is a muscle that functions like a valve. Normally, this muscle remains closed and contracted to hold urine in the body. When you're ready to urinate, it relaxes to allow urine to pass through. You have two main urinary sphincters:

Internal urethral sphincter: This sphincter is located at the base of the bladder, where it connects to the urethra. It's the first muscle that relaxes, allowing urine to flow from the bladder into the urethra.
External urethral sphincter: This sphincter is part of your pelvic floor muscles and is located further down the urethra. When it relaxes, urine can exit the body.

If these muscles are weak, they can cause urine to leak out unexpectedly, especially during activities like coughing, sneezing, or jumping. This condition is known as stress incontinence. An AUS effectively takes over the job of these muscles.

What does an artificial urinary sphincter treat?

Doctors typically use an artificial urinary sphincter to treat stress urinary incontinence in men who haven't responded to other treatments, such as medication or bladder training. This type of incontinence can often occur in men after they've had their prostate removed due to cancer (prostatectomy). Stress incontinence causes urine leakage during physical activities like:

Laughing
Sneezing
Coughing
Walking
Exercising

While most common in men, doctors may also occasionally use an AUS to treat stress incontinence in women.

How does an artificial urinary sphincter work?

An artificial urinary sphincter is made up of three main parts:

Pressure balloon: The surgeon places this balloon beneath your abdominal muscles. It maintains a constant pressure that keeps the urethral cuff inflated and the urethra closed.
Urethral cuff: This cuff is wrapped around the urethra. It's constantly filled with fluid, which squeezes the urethra to prevent urine from leaking out, much like a blood pressure cuff squeezing your arm.
Pump: In men, the pump is placed in the scrotum or between the rectum and genitals. In women, it's usually placed in the outer labial lips (labia majora). The pump controls the flow of fluid within the device.

To release urine, you squeeze the pump. This action moves the fluid from the urethral cuff into the pressure balloon. When the cuff deflates, it allows urine to flow from your bladder, through your urethra, and out of your body. After a brief period, the pressure balloon automatically pushes the fluid back into the urethral cuff, reinflating it and closing the urethra to stop any further leakage.

What are the benefits of an artificial urinary sphincter?

The main benefit of an artificial urinary sphincter is that it successfully corrects stress incontinence, allowing you to regain control over your bladder. This means you can hold your urine during daily activities and release it only when you choose to.

What are the issues with an artificial urinary sphincter?

Like all surgical procedures, there are some risks, including:

Issues with anesthesia
Complications with healing
Infection
Scarring
Bleeding

Specific complications related to AUS surgery might include:

The device parts failing or breaking, requiring replacement.
An increase in urge incontinence (a sudden, strong need to urinate).
Difficulty or straining when urinating.
Damage to your urethra, bladder, or surrounding organs.
Problems with using the pump.
The cuff slowly eroding the surrounding tissue (device erosion).

How long does an artificial urinary sphincter last?

An artificial urinary sphincter typically lasts for 10 years. After this time, a urologist will need to replace it when it no longer functions correctly.

What is the success rate of the artificial urinary sphincter?

The artificial urinary sphincter has a high success rate. In some studies, the success rate is over 90%. However, it's possible for incontinence to return. This can happen if the AUS wears out or if the urethra erodes away (urethral erosion), which might necessitate a new AUS or a different procedure.

How soon after treatment will I feel better?

Your body needs time to heal before the artificial urinary sphincter can be activated. This typically takes six to eight weeks after the surgery. The incisions themselves usually heal within two weeks.

What can I do to care for myself afterward?

For at least four weeks after the surgery, you should avoid strenuous exercise and sexual activity, including masturbation. Failing to give yourself enough time to heal can lead to complications like:

Ripping your stitches.
Infection.
Increased pain.
Bleeding.

It's also important to avoid taking baths until you've fully recovered. However, showering is fine, as long as you keep the surgical area as dry and clean as possible to prevent infection.

When can I return to work or school?

It’s generally a good idea to take five to seven days off from work or school. Depending on how physically demanding your job is, you may need to take more time off.

When should I see my healthcare provider?

You'll need to schedule follow-up appointments after your surgery. Your healthcare provider will check on your healing progress after two weeks and will activate the AUS after six to eight weeks. You should contact a healthcare provider if you experience any of the following:

Discoloration, tenderness, or a pus-like discharge from your incisions.
Bleeding from your incisions.
Inability to urinate for more than six hours.
A fever higher than 101.5°F (38.6°C).
Increased bruising in your penis or scrotum.

Always feel free to call your provider if you have any other questions or concerns about your AUS.

Why choose Tender Palm Super-Speciality Hospital for Artificial Urinary Sphincter Implantation in Lucknow, India?

Tender Palm Super-Speciality Hospital is one of the best hospitals for Artificial Urinary Sphincter in Lucknow, India. Our experienced Urologists use advanced technology and provide patient-focused care, ensuring safer procedures, quicker recovery, and improved long-term outcomes. We offer the best treatment with effective and affordable pricing, making the Artificial Urinary Sphincter Implantation cost suitable for patients seeking high-quality care in Lucknow, India.