Artificial Urinary Sphincter (AUS)
The artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) has been the gold-standard treatment for men who have moderate to severe stress urinary incontinence (SUI) for decades.
Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) is a common problem affecting men who have had prostate cancer treatment and less commonly, surgery to treat BPE (benign prostatic enlargement). The artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) has been the gold-standard treatment for those living with SUI for decades.
Artificial Urinary Sphincter (AUS)
The AUS is a device that is surgically inserted into the body to prevent urine from leaking when a man’s own sphincter muscles are not able to prevent urine leakage. The AUS mimics the bodies natural urinary sphincter and restores continence by preventing the release of urine from the bladder.
To insert the AUS an incision is made in the perineum (area between the anus and the scrotum) to site the cuff. A reservoir containing fluid is sited in the lower abdomen and a pump is sited in the scrotum.
- “Incontinence in men is often not discussed, resulting in many suffering from a debilitating condition which can affect patient’s quality of life and mental health. This procedure can be life changing.”
This procedure is performed under general anaesthetic and patients go home the next morning. Patients are seen for a wound review at 2 weeks and then return for the device to be activated at 6 weeks post-operatively.
Once healed, when the man needs to urinate, he presses the pump in his scrotum, this moves fluid from the cuff into the balloon, which opens the urethra and allows for urination.
Mr Chetwood also implants the male sling (Advance XP) which is an option for less severe forms of SUI.