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Inflatable artificial sphincter - Risks

Alternative Names

Artificial sphincter (AUS) - urinary

Risks:

This procedure is generally safe. Ask your doctor about these possible complications.

Risks for any surgery are:

Incision infection or the incision opens up
Blood clots in the legs that may travel to the lungs
Breathing problems
Bleeding
Other Infection

Risks for this surgery

Damage to the urethra, bladder, or vagina
It may be harder to empty your bladder. Or you may not be able to empty your bladder and need a catheter
Urine leakage may get worse
The device stops working. This requires removing it.

Inflatable artificial sphincter

Anal sphincter anatomy

Inflatable artificial sphincter - series

Reviewed last on: 1/13/2009
Louis S. Liou, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor of Urology, Department of Surgery, Boston University School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Staskin DR, Comiter CV. Surgical Treatment of Male Sphincteric Urinary Incontinence: The Male Perineal Sling and Artificial Urinary Sphincter. Kavoussi LR, Novick AC, Partin AW, Peters CA. Wein: Campbell-Walsh Urology. 9th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 74.

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