Experience with the artificial urinary sphincter at Michigan

Between August 1973 and May 1975, 9 patients with various causes of urinary incontinence were treated with the implantable artificial sphincter. Of these 9 patients 6 remained continent on long-term followup. Complications, observed in 5 patients, were corrected successfully in 2 but were treated unsuccessfully in 3 and resulted in partial or complete removal of the prosthesis. The need for screening the patient preoperatively, meticulous operative techniques and continuous postoperative surveillance is emphasized. An orderly method of evaluating the problem is presented.