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Inflatable artificial sphincter

• Overview
• Recovery
• Risks

Alternative Names:

Artificial sphincter - rectal or urinary

Expectations after surgery:

Studies have found that men who were treated for stress incontinence with the artificial urinary sphincter had an 82% cure rate, while women had a 92% cure rate. With time there may be a gradual wasting  of the tissue under the cuff, which may make the device less effective.

Continence is normally maintained with a replacement artificial sphincter.

In studies of use of an artificial sphincter for treating fecal incontinence , 60% of the patients reported success.

Convalescence:

It is very important for you to carry or wear medical identification to notify health care providers that you have a artificial sphincter. The artificial urethral sphincter must be deactivated whenever urinary catheterization is performed, and the artificial rectal sphincter may need to be deactivated during rectal procedures or enemas.

Additionally, because the pump mechanism is placed in the labia in women and inside the scrotum for men, you may need to modify some activities (such as bicycle riding) to accommodate this pump.

You must be very attentive to possible signs of infection ( urinary frequency , pain or burning with urination, and fever ) and erosion (pain at cuff site, bleeding , leakage of urine or stools).

• Review Date: 6/13/2006
• Reviewed By: Neil D. Sherman, MD, Urologist, Essex County, NJ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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