Artificial Urinary Sphincter Placement Research Articles

Catheter Free Day of Surgery Discharge vs Overnight Observation Following Artificial Urinary Sphincter Placement.

Introduction To confirm the safety and examine outcomes of a day of surgery discharge following artificial urinary sphincter implantation in a population discharged without a catheter. Methods We retrospectively identified 110 patients, 31 of whom were discharged on the day of surgery, from a single surgeon following artificial urinary sphincter implantation.After institutional board review approval, patient charts were reviewed capturing demographics as well as three, thirty, and ninety-day outcomes.Further outcomes specific to urinary retention were obtained. Results Patients who were discharged the same day were older (71 vs. 68), had shorter operative times (92 minutes vs 109 minutes), and were less likely to have been smokers (6% vs 31%). There were no differences in the proportion of patients who underwent prior radiation or prior implant surgery. There was no significant difference in the number of patients who had emergency department visits, urinary retention, office calls, office visits, or unplanned office visits at all time points following surgery.There was no significant difference in overall urinary retention (15% vs 5%), retention presenting after the initial surgical event (6% vs 5%), or need for a suprapubic tube (0% vs 5%). Conclusions Day of surgery discharge is a safe discharge strategy for patients who have undergone artificial urinary sphincter placement. Furthermore, catheter-free days of discharge surgery did not have a significantly greater risk of urinary retention, office calls, emergency department (ED) visits, or office visits compared to our overnight observation population.This approach should be considered for all patients undergoing artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) implantation.

Clinical and Urodynamic Determinants of Earlier Time to Failure for the Artificial Urinary Sphincter

ObjectiveTo determine clinical, surgical and urodynamic attributes associated with earlier AUS reintervention. The artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) is the gold standard treatment for postprostatectomy stress urinary incontinence. Factors impacting long-term device survival have not been investigated. Materials and MethodsWe identified men with post-prostatectomy incontinence who underwent AUS reintervention from 2011 to 2021 at a single center. Urodynamic study, pad weights and voiding diaries are routinely assessed prior to AUS placement. Relationships between clinical, urodynamic and surgical variables and AUS reintervention were assessed using cox regression. Multiple imputation of chained equations was used to handle missing data elements, with truncated linear regression for continuous variables and logistic regression for binary variables. ResultsA total of 524 records were reviewed and 92 met inclusion. Median time to AUS reintervention was 5.7 years (2.3, 9.4). Indications were mechanical failure (38; 41.3%), sub-cuff atrophy (37; 40.2%), erosion/infection (11; 11.9%) and other (6; 6.5%). On univariable testing, earlier intervention was associated with pad weight (P < .01), nocturnal voids (P = .01), bladder capacity (P = .01), bladder volume at strong sensation (P = .03), detrusor overactivity (P < .01) and maximum voiding pressure (P = .02). On multivariable analysis, earlier surgical intervention was associated with detrusor overactivity (HR 1.95, P < .01 CI 1.22-3.1) and pad weight (HR 1.0006, P = .02, CI 1.000-1.001). ConclusionsDetrusor overactivity is associated with significantly shorter time to AUS failure. This information may allow for more individualized counseling.

Commentary to ‘Simultaneous bladder augmentation and artificial urinary sphincter placement in children with neuropathic urinary incontinence. Is it safe to perform? Long-term results'

Commentary to ‘Simultaneous bladder augmentation and artificial urinary sphincter placement in children with neuropathic urinary incontinence. Is it safe to perform? Long-term results'

Simultaneous bladder augmentation and artificial urinary sphincter placement in children with neuropathic urinary incontinence. Is it safe to perform? Long-term results

Simultaneous performance of artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) placement and bladder augmentation (BA) in patients with neuropathic bladder is currently controversial. The aim of this study is to describe our very long-term results after a median follow-up of 17 years. A retrospective single-center case-control study was performed in patients with neuropathic bladder treated in our institution between 1994 and 2020, in whom AUS placement and BA were performed simultaneously (SIM group) or sequentially at different times (SEQ group). Demographic variables, hospital length of stay (LOS), long-term outcomes and postoperative complications were compared between both groups. A total of 39 patients (21 males, 18 females) were included, with a median age of 14.3 years. BA and AUS were performed simultaneously at the same intervention in 27 patients, and sequentially in different interventions in 12 cases, with a median of 18 months between both surgeries. No demographics differences were observed. SIM group had a shorter median LOS when compared to SEQ group, considering the two sequential procedures (10 vs. 15 days; p=0.032). Median follow-up was 17.2 years (interquartile range 10.3-23.9). Four postoperative complications were reported, 3 patients in SIM group and 1 case in SEQ group, with no statistically significant differences between them (p=0.758). Adequate urinary continence was achieved in more than 90% of patients in both groups. There are scarce recent studies comparing the combined performance of simultaneous or sequential AUS and BA in children with neuropathic bladder. The results of our study show a much lower postoperative infection rate than previously reported in the literature. It is a single-center analysis with a relatively small sample of patients although it is among the largest series published so far, and presents the longest long-term follow-up with more than 17 years of median follow-up time. Simultaneous BA and AUS placement appears safe and efficacious in children with neuropathic bladder, with shorter LOS and no differences in postoperative complications or long-term outcomes when compared to performing the two procedures sequentially at different times.

Bladder Neck Contractures Stabilize After Placement of the Artificial Urinary Sphincter.

For male cancer survivors, the combination of stress urinary incontinence and recurrent bladder neck contracture presents a management dilemma with poor consensus. Our objective was to assess the impact of artificial urinary sphincter placement on bladder neck contracture recurrence among prostate cancer survivors with stress urinary incontinence and bladder neck contracture. Men electing artificial urinary sphincter placement at our institution undergo synchronous bladder neck contracture treatment if indicated. An institutional database was queried for men with stress urinary incontinence and ≥1 intervention for bladder neck contracture. Records were divided according to whether an artificial urinary sphincter was ever placed. The impact of artificial urinary sphincter placement on bladder neck contracture recurrence was assessed using a multivariable conditional survival analysis, with survival defined as the recurrence-free interval following bladder neck contracture intervention. The proportional hazards assumption was assessed on the basis of Schoenfeld residuals. The analytic cohort consisted of 118 in the artificial urinary sphincter group and 88 in the non-artificial urinary sphincter group. Patients in both groups underwent a median of 2 (range 1-8) bladder neck contracture interventions over the entire course of their care, encompassing 445 total bladder neck contracture interventions. The artificial urinary sphincter group was on average 2.6 years younger (P = .02) and had a higher pack-year smoking history (P < .01). The presence of an artificial urinary sphincter was associated with a 61% lower bladder neck contracture re-intervention rate (HR 0.39, P < .01, CI 0.30-0.50) at any time when accounting for number of prior bladder neck contracture interventions and bladder neck contracture risk factors. Artificial urinary sphincter placement is associated with a lower rate of bladder neck contracture re-intervention. Artificial urinary sphincter placement should not be delayed or avoided due to the presence of bladder neck contracture.

A comparison of the perineal and penoscrotal approaches in artificial urinary sphincter implantation for the control of male stress urinary incontinence.

The two most common surgical approaches to treat stress urinary incontinence in men are the traditional perineal and the new penoscrotal approach for artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) implantation. Each method carries its own advantages and disadvantages. The few reports that compare the approaches have disparate outcomes. Compare the outcome of first time AUS implantation by the perineal versus the penoscrotal approach. Retrospective study. Tertiary referral center. We included all male patients who underwent primary perineal or penoscrotal AUS placement between June 2004 and October 2018 at our tertiary care hospital. Patients were followed at least one year postoperatively. Rates of dry, infection, erosion, malfunction, atrophy, revision. 44 males who underwent 68 procedures. Twenty-five (56.8%) patients underwent a perineal and 19 (43.2%) underwent a penoscrotal approach. The patients had 68 procedures: 36 (52.9%) perineal and 32 (47.1%) penoscrotal approaches. The median (25th-75th percentiles) age at the time of surgery was 61.0 (51.0-68.0) years (n=68 procedures). The median (25th-75th percentiles) operative time was significantly shorter for the penoscrotal approach, 87 (69-140), vs. 93 (72-210) minutes for the perineal approach (P=.016). The 44 patients were followed up for a mean (SD) of 52.5 (20.3) months for the 68 procedures. Postoperative complications occurred in 16 (36.36%) patients; 11 (44%) perineal approach patients and 5 (26.3%) penoscrotal. There were no significant differences in complications of infection, erosion, malfunction, or urethral atrophy between the two groups. Only removal/revision was significantly more common with the perineal approach (10 patients perineal and two patients penoscrotal, P=.042). At the last follow-up, dryness was comparable among groups. The outcomes of AUS placement are comparable between perineal and penoscrotal approaches in terms of complications and one year dryness. The penoscrotal approach however has shorter operative time and less need for revision and removal. Small sample size, single-center. None.

Complicated artificial urinary sphincter insertion using the transcorporal cuff: keys to the tunical flap technique.

Urethral sphincter insufficiency following radical prostatectomy (RP) is a common cause of non-neurogenic stress urinary incontinence (SUI). Artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) insertion remains the standard of care for fit patients with SUI refractory to non-operative interventions. The proximal urethra is a common location for uncomplicated AUS placement. However, previous failed AUS, urethroplasty, or pelvic radiotherapy (RT) may compromise urethral tissue requiring technique modifications that optimise outcomes. In these situations, transcorporal cuff (TC) placement has been well described to facilitate continence restoration in men where there is no other feasible option other than urinary diversion or permanent incontinence. In the traditional TC approach, the procedure may be complicated by haematoma due to difficulty in completely closing the corporal defects behind the urethra. This narrated video demonstrates the tunical flap (TF) modification for transcorporal AUS implantation via a perineal and penoscrotal approach in patients with prior failed AUS placements secondary to urethral erosion. The TF technique for transcorporal AUS insertion provides circumferential reinforcement with tunica albuginea from the corpora cavernosa. Here, we show how this technique provides additional urethral support for compromised urethral tissue to help prevent cuff erosion. The TF preserves the corporal volume and does not limit candidacy for future penile prosthesis implantation. In our early results, there have been no postoperative haematoma formation with this technique.

The relationship between frailty, incontinence severity, and treatment decisions for men with post-prostatectomy stress urinary incontinence: a mixed methods analysis.

Frailty is common among urology patients in general as well as among men seeking evaluation for stress urinary incontinence (SUI), with 6.1% of men undergoing artificial urinary sphincter placement considered frail. It is unclear if and how patient views on frailty and incontinence severity impact decision-making with regards to SUI treatment. We undertook a mixed methods analysis to evaluate the intersection of frailty, incontinence severity, and treatment decision-making is presented. To do so, we utilized a previously published cohort of men undergoing evaluation for SUI at the University of California, San Francisco between 2015 and 2020, selecting those who had evaluation with timed up and go test (TUGT), objective measures of incontinence, and patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs). A subset of these participants had additionally undergone semi-structured interviews, and these interviews were re-examined to thematically code them with a focus on the impact of frailty and incontinence severity on SUI treatment decision-making. Among the original cohort of 130 patients, 72 had an objective measure of frailty and were included in our analysis; 18 of these individuals had corresponding qualitative interviews. Common themes identified included (I) impact of incontinence severity on decision-making; (II) the interaction between frailty and incontinence; (III) the impact of comorbidity on treatment decision-making; and (IV) age as a construct of frailty and impact on surgical choice and/or recovery. Direct quotations regarding each theme provides insight into patients' views and drivers of SUI treatment decision-making. The impact of frailty on treatment decision-making for patients with SUI is complex. This mixed methods study highlights the variety of patient views on frailty with regards to surgical intervention for male SUI. Urologists should make a concerted effort to personalize patient counseling for SUI management and take time to understand each patient's perspective in order to individualize SUI treatment decision-making. More research is needed to help identify factors that influence decision-making for frail male patients with SUI.

The ‘Mini-Jupette’ technique for climacturia: a systematic review

Background: The leakage of urine during sexual arousal, known as climacturia, is an under-recognized clinical condition often overshadowed by erectile dysfunction in men who have undergone radical prostatectomy. Objectives: This study aims to determine and evaluate the role of the Mini-Jupette technique and its alternatives in the treatment of climacturia. Data sources and methods: We conducted a systematic review following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines for systematic reviews. We searched Medline via PubMed, Scopus, and the Cochrane Library databases until October 2022. Results: We included seven studies involving 120 patients with climacturia. Different types of grafts were used, ranging from synthetic mesh to autologous grafts. In all seven studies, the use of the Adrianne Mini-Jupette (AMJ) and its alternatives showed a high percentage of improvement in climacturia, with reported complete resolution ranging from 65% to 93%. Regarding postoperative complications, one study reported the highest sling explantation rate at 11% (4/38), while other studies reported complications ranging from subjective symptoms such as dysuria and perineal pain to the need for subsequent artificial urinary sphincter placement. Conclusion: The AMJ sling and its variations are low-cost, time-efficient, and relatively safe procedures with high patient satisfaction rates among those treated for climacturia.

Artificial Urinary Sphincter in a High-Risk Urethra: Transcorporal Gullwing Modification Description of the Technique.

In this report, we describe a modification of transcorporal artificial urinary sphincter place ment known as Gullwing modification. Using a penoscrotal approach, bilateral corpora cavernosa flaps are harvested and sutured in the midline covering the lateral and ventral surfaces of the urethra. Transcorporal cuff placement provides dorsal reinforcement, thus having extra tissue buttressing all the circumference in cases of a fragile urethra due to previous urethral cuff erosion, urethroplasty, or pelvic radiotherapy. After previous urethral cuff erosion, radiotherapy, and urethral reconstruction, our patient complained of severe stress urinary incontinence. Due to the high risk of urethral complications, we proceed to a transcorporal artificial sphincter placement with urethral reinforcement through a bilateral cavernosal flap. The surgery was successfully completed, and after 6 weeks, sphincter was activated with satisfac tory results. Two years after surgery, his continence status is stable without complications. Urethral complications associated with artificial urinary sphincter surgery remain a challenge for the reconstructive surgeon. Reinforcement of the ventral aspect of the urethra through corpora cavernosal flaps may reduce the likelihood of urethral erosion in high-risk cases.

Indications and Outcomes for Intermittent Catheterization following Bulbar AUS Cuff Placement

ObjectiveTo evaluate the functional and surgical impact of CIC protocols in men with a bulbar AUS in place. Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) and poor bladder emptying are both sequelae of prostate cancer treatment, though there is sparse data to guide concomitant management. The safety of intermittent catheterization (CIC) in men with an artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) at the bulbar urethra remains unclear. MethodsWe performed a retrospective review of all bulbar urethral AUS procedures at our institution. Inclusion criteria were patients with a history of prostate cancer treatment, AUS placement for SUI, and a history of CIC before and/or after AUS placement. All eligible cases were retrospectively reviewed. Surgical and continence outcomes were analyzed. ResultsA total of 57 patients were identified with a history of CIC and AUS placement under the care of two surgeons. Eighteen continued to perform CIC or first initiated CIC after AUS placement and 39 discontinued CIC prior to AUS placement. The incidence of erosion was no different amongst patients who continued or discontinued CIC after AUS placement (17.9% vs 22.2%, P = .79). There was no difference in future AUS removal or replacement (56.4% vs 44.4%, P = .41). Both groups experienced improvement in urinary incontinence after placement of an AUS. ConclusionBulbar AUS placement in the setting of continuous intermittent catheterization can be considered in patients who are not surgical candidates for definitive treatment of their outlet obstruction.

PO50 Presentation Time: 10:00 AM: Long-Term Results of Salvage High Dose-Rate Brachytherapy with or without Pelvic External Beam Radiotherapy in Patients with Palpable Local Recurrence of Prostate Cancer After Radical Prostatectomy

<h3>Purpose</h3> This study aims to evaluate the long term outcomes and toxicities in patients with clinically apparent, gross local recurrence of prostate cancer after radical prostatectomy, treated with salvage high dose-rate brachytherapy (HDR-BT) with or without pelvic external beam radiotherapy (EBRT). <h3>Materials and Methods</h3> Retrospective chart review was performed to identify patients with clinically apparent, gross local recurrence of prostate cancer after radical prostatectomy who underwent salvage HDR-BT at a single institution between 2002 and 2020. HDR-BT regimens included 950 cGy x 2 (N=4), 1500 cGy x 1 (N=2), 950 cGy x 4 (N=1), and 800 cGy x 2 (N=1). Pelvic EBRT was allowed at the discretion of the treating physician. Treatment and clinical characteristics were obtained for each patient, and outcome and toxicity data were collected. Toxicity was graded according to Common Toxicity criteria for Adverse Events Version 5.0. Descriptive analysis was performed. <h3>Results</h3> A total of 8 patients were included in analysis with a median follow-up of 49 months (range: 9 to 223 months). Five (63%) patients presented with a biochemical recurrence, and 3 patients (38%) presented with symptoms including hematuria and urinary obstruction. Seven patients underwent TRUS-guided biopsy which confirmed recurrent adenocarcinoma. The remaining patient underwent a PSMA PET/CT scan revealing a PET-avid soft tissue lesion in the prostate bed, but declined biopsy and proceeded with treatment without pathologic confirmation. Median age at time of salvage brachytherapy was 68 years (range: 59 to 85 years). Median time from prostatectomy to salvage HDR-BT was 95 months (range: 19 to 207 months). Median PSA at time of HDR brachytherapy was 2.32 ng/ml (range: undetectable on ADT to 13 ng/ml). Median lesion size was 2.5 cm (range: 1 to 3.6 cm). Six patients (75%) received adjuvant pelvic EBRT, 45-50 Gy in 25 fractions. Seven out of 8 patients received ADT after salvage brachytherapy for a median duration of 12 months (range: 8 to 24 months). The remaining patient did not receive ADT due to cardiac comorbidities. Seven out of 8 patients were alive at last follow-up. There have been no locoregional recurrences. Three patients developed distant metastatic disease. One patient, who had negative conventional staging scans 3 months prior to brachytherapy, was found to have distant metastatic disease only 2 months after salvage brachytherapy and died due to metastatic prostate cancer 9 months after HDR-BT. The other 2 patients developed distant metastases at 14 and 27 months after brachytherapy. One patient developed late grade 3 urinary incontinence requiring artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) placement 18 months after brachytherapy. This patient had the largest tumor size, 3.6 cm in longest dimension, and received pelvic EBRT in addition to HDR-BT. He is now more than 10 years out from HDR-BT with undetectable PSA and doing well with his AUS. There were no other grade 2 or higher genitourinary or gastrointestinal toxicities. <h3>Conclusions</h3> This study demonstrates the long-term safety and efficacy of salvage HDR brachytherapy in the setting of clinically apparent local recurrence of prostate cancer after radical prostatectomy, with durable locoregional control and acceptable rates of toxicity. HDR-BT should be further explored as an option for dose-escalated salvage radiotherapy in patients with gross local recurrences after radical prostatectomy.

Surgery for climacturia following radical prostatectomy: slight modifications necessary in real clinical practice

Adverse events following radical prostatectomy include erectile dysfunction and stress urinary incontinence. However, there are other possible complications potentially affecting quality of life in prostate cancer survivors. Climacturia, or orgasm-associated urinary incontinence, is often overlooked. We used a modified Andrienne's technique to place a compressing graft on urethra in patients who previously underwent radical prostatectomy. One patient (71 years) had moderate erectile dysfunction and total stress urinary incontinence. He was satisfied with wearing a condom catheter, so he declined artificial urinary sphincter placement surgery. Erectile dysfunction and climacturia were bothersome to him, so we performed a three-piece penile implant placement with a «mini-jupette» of porcine dermal collagen, which is a deviation from technique originally described by Andrienne. Another patient (69 years) had severe erectile dysfunction following radical prostatectomy. He was completely continent, so climacturia became evident only after penile implant surgery and «mini-jupette» wasn't placed simultaneously, as originally proposed by Andrienne. We performed treatment for climacturia 1 year later and placed the compressing graft more distally to avoid accidental damage to implant tubing. First patient was successfully treated for erectile dysfunction by implantation of an inflatable device. There was no orgasm-associated urinary incontinence and patient was completely satisfied with his sexual function on follow-up. He continues to use condom catheters, but on some occasions achieves partial inflation of a penile implant, so that «mini-jupette's» tension prevents urinary incontinence. Second patient is also completely satisfied with his sexual function, as climacturia was managed successfully despite distal positioning of «mini-jupette». Penile implant continues to function properly. There are no signs of device failure or infection. Compressing graft can be placed on urethra in patients with three-piece penile implants to prevent climacturia, which is possible after radical prostatectomy. However, slight technical modifications may be required in given cases. Authors have no conflict of interest.

Transperineal bulbovesical anastomosis for extensive posterior urethral stenoses after treatment of prostatic disease.

We report our surgical experience of transperineal bulbovesical anastomosis (BVA) for extensive posterior urethral stenosis (PUS). Six male patients who had extensive PUS extending from the bulbomembranous urethra to the bladder neck due to prostatic disease treatment and underwent transperineal BVA between 2014 and 2020 were retrospectively reviewed. BVA was performed according to the elaborate perineal approach for pelvic fracture urethral repair with minor modifications. After confirming the absence of recurrent stenosis 6 months postoperatively, the patients were offered artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) placement for subsequent urinary incontinence (UI). Median patient age was 68, and the etiology of PUS was radical prostatectomy for prostate cancer in four patients, brachytherapy for prostate cancer in one, and transurethral resection of the prostate for benign prostatic hyperplasia in one. All patients had been previously treated with multiple transurethral procedures such as urethrotomy and dilation. Median operative time and blood loss were 211 min and 154 ml, respectively. Five cases (83.3%) had no recurrent stenosis with a median follow-up of 45 months, but a single direct vision internal urethrotomy was performed in one (16.7%) due to restenosis. Four (66.7%) patients underwent AUS placement via transcorporal approach for subsequent UI, but two had it removed due to urethral erosion. Transperineal BVA could effectively manage extensive PUS after prostatic disease treatment. Staged AUS placement could be a viable option for subsequent UI, but the risk of urethral erosion seemed high.

Presenting signs and symptoms of artificial urinary sphincter cuff erosion.

ABSTRACTPurpose To characterize the most common presentation and clinical risk factors for artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) cuff erosion to distinguish the relative frequency of symptoms that should trigger further evaluation in these patients.Materials and Methods We retrospectively reviewed our tertiary center database to identify men who presented with AUS cuff erosion between 2007 – 2020. A similar cohort of men who underwent AUS placement without erosion were randomly selected from the same database for symptom comparison. Risk factors for cuff erosion – pelvic radiation, androgen deprivation therapy (ADT), high-grade prostate cancer (Gleason score ≥ 8) – were recorded for each patient. Presenting signs and symptoms of cuff erosion were grouped into three categories: obstructive symptoms, worsening incontinence, and localized scrotal inflammation (SI).Results Of 893 men who underwent AUS placement during the study interval, 61 (6.8%) sustained cuff erosion. Most erosion patients (40/61, 66%) presented with scrotal inflammatory changes including tenderness, erythema, and swelling. Fewer men reported obstructive symptoms (26/61, 43%) and worsening incontinence (21/61, 34%). Men with SI or obstructive symptoms presented significantly earlier than those with worsening incontinence (SI 14 ± 18 vs. obstructive symptoms 15 ± 16 vs. incontinence 37 ± 48 months after AUS insertion, p<0.01). Relative to the non-erosion control group (n=61), men who suffered erosion had a higher prevalence of pelvic radiation (71 vs. 49%, p=0.02).Conclusion AUS cuff erosion most commonly presents as SI symptoms. Obstructive voiding symptoms and worsening incontinence are also common. Any of these symptoms should prompt further investigation of cuff erosion.

Patient Risk Factors Associated with Reported Urinary Quality of Life Following Artificial Urinary Sphincter Placement: A Paired Pre and Postoperative Analysis

To evaluate potential associations between patient risk factors and incontinence related patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) preandpost artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) implantation. We hypothesize patient risk factors, including prior radiation and diabetes will have a negative association with post AUS PROMs. A review of prospectively collected preandpostoperative Incontinence Symptom Index [ISI] and Incontinence Impact Questionnaire-7 (IIQ-7)s from multiple institutions in the Trauma and Urologic Reconstruction Network of Surgeons was performed. Changes in preandpost AUS ISI and IIQ-7 scores were compared for the entire cohort then stratified by patients with prior AUS, obesity, diabetes, prior radiation, and mixed urinary incontinence. A total of 145 patients, 67.2 (SD 10.9) years had complete preandpost AUS questionnaires (median follow up 186 days, IQR 136-362). Post AUS ISI and IIQ-7 scores improved significantly for the group at large. Prior radiation was associated with less improvement in total IIQ-7 scores, -25.5 (31.9) vs -39 (33.0), P=.03. Obesity was associated with a greater reduction in incontinence severity -13.6 (SD 9.1) vs -9.2 (SD 8.9), P<0.01, urge -5.2(SD 4.2) vs -2.5(SD 4.5), P <.01, and total ISI score -29.7(SD19.7) vs -21.2 (SD 19.9), P=.02. Prior AUS, diabetes, and mixed incontinence were not associated with post AUS PROMs outcome. Overall, patients reported a significant reduction in incontinence severity, bother, impact, and distress following AUS placement. Prior radiation was associated with less improvement in total IIQ-7 scores. In contrast, obesity demonstrated a greater reduction in ISI severity and urge scores compared to non-obese patients.

The Gullwing Technique: A Novel Method of Transcorporal Artificial Urinary Sphincter Placement for the Fragile Urethra

To describe the novel gullwing technique for artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) placement. The transcorporal technique for AUS placement is beneficial in patients with 'fragile urethras' (previous failed AUS, urethroplasty or history of radiation) however limitations include insufficient lateral and ventral urethral support in addition to potential cinching during corporotomy closure which, in the absence of additional grafting may restrict our ability to conserve internal corporal capacity and limit options for future preservation of erectile function via penile prosthesis placement. The gullwing variation of the technique offers the potential to circumvent these disadvantages. This case describes the gullwing variation of transcorporal AUS placement in a complex patient with a history of abdominopelvic trauma and prior failed AUS placements secondary to urethral erosion. Transcorporal AUS placement in patients with prior urethral compromise has been shown to result in lower revision and erosion rates. The gullwing modification of the technique is a novel variation providing improved circumferential urethral protection and, with the addition of corporal grafting, aims to enable the preservation of the three-dimensional corporal volume necessary for ease of subsequent penile prosthesis implantation. However, studies assessing the long-term functional outcomes and durability of this technique are needed.

Transcroporal Artificial Urinary Sphincter Placement With Closure of Corporal Bodies—A Long-Term Analysis of Functional Outcomes

ObjectivesAn artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) is the gold standard for postoperative stress urinary incontinence (SUI). The transcorporal AUS (TC) placement constitutes the main salvage option in high-risk patients suffering from SUI with fragile urethras. The literature analyzing long-term outcomes with respect to explantation rates, continence, and erectile function is scarce.Methods and PatientsRetrospective data collection was performed in 2011. TC was applied according to a standardized protocol. TC was implanted after bulbar urethroplasty or double-cuff (DC) explantation. After TC placement, the tunica albuginea was closed in order to minimize the risk of postoperative bleedings and erectile dysfunction. Activation was performed 6 weeks postoperatively. Further follow-up (FU) was scheduled 6/24 months postoperatively and every 2 years thereafter. Primary/secondary endpoints were explantation/objective, subjective, and social continence rates. Objective or social continence was defined as the use of 0 pads/day or <2 pads/day, respectively. Thereupon, postoperative bleedings and erectile function were analyzed.ResultsA total of 39 high-risk patients were available for analysis. The median age was 72 years. In total, 84.6%, 10.3%, and 2.6% had a history of radical prostatectomy, TURP, and radical cystectomy, respectively. In total, 61.5% had a history of radiation therapy of the prostate, 41% had a history of urethral surgery, and 95% had a history of double cuff explantation. The median FU was 27 months. Objective, subjective, and social continence were 54.5%, 69.7%, and 78.8%, respectively. The median pad usage was 1 pad/day [1–2.5]. Only one patient suffered from a postoperative hematoma. In total, 15.4% of the patients were able to have an erection preoperatively, compared to 7.7% after TC placement. The estimated mean explantation-free survival of the TC was 83 months in the Kaplan–Meier analysis.ConclusionsTC AUS implantation constitutes a viable salvage approach in high-risk SUI patients with a mean device survival of almost 7 years and high social continence rates of almost 80%. An intraoperative closure of the tunica albuginea after TC placement allows for very low rates of postoperative hematoma and supports postoperative erectile rigidity.

Outcomes of Initial Transcorporal Versus Standard Placement of Artificial Urinary Sphincter in Patients With Prior Radiation.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate both device and functional outcomes of men who underwent initial artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) placement after pelvic radiation using the transcorporal versus the standard approach.Methods: A retrospective review of patients who underwent first-time AUS placement after pelvic irradiation for prostate cancer was conducted between January 2008 and June 2020. Patients were grouped by transcorporal versus standard device placement. The primary outcomes of interest included major complications (revision or explant surgery) and functional outcomes (pads per day, International Prostate Symptom Score {IPSS}, quality of life {QOL} score).Results: We identified 45 patients who underwent first-time AUS with a history of prior pelvic irradiation for prostate cancer, 27 underwent transcorporal placement and 18 underwent standard placement. Transcorporal AUS placement resulted in a significantly lower number of major complications (p=0.01), explants (p=0.02), and revisions (p=0.04) The transcorporal artificial urinary sphincter group had better postoperative pads per day (p=0.04), IPSS (p<0.01), and IPSS QOL score (p<0.01).Conclusions: Initial transcorporal artificial urinary sphincter placement is a promising technique with lower rates of major complications in patients with a history of prior pelvic radiation and had better functional urinary outcomes.

Delayed Sigmoid Colon Erosion by Artificial Urinary Sphincter Tubing

A 65-year-old male presents with groin discomfort from a left inguinal hernia. He has a history of prostate cancer status–post radiation therapy and prostatic stenosis treated with urethroplasty. He subsequently developed severe urinary incontinence and underwent artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) placement in 2016. The AUS was replaced in June 2020 due to mechanical failure; he has since experienced no issues and maintained excellent continence.