[The artificial sphincter in the treatment of urinary incontinence]

During the period from August 1988 until August 1991, 31 patients who had urinary incontinence of different etiologies underwent implantation of an artificial sphincter AMS 800 at the Urology service in Hotel-Dieu de France Hospital. (26% Spinal cord injury; 42% Post op, complicate; 32% Congenital anomalies). After a follow-up of 5 to 36 months (means 24 +/- 10 months) the 28 patients in whom the sphincter was kept implanted, 26 (93%) patients achieved complete continence day time as well as nocturnal. 2 patients (7%) still have mild stress urinary incontinence. Follow-up was five months, and maximum three years. The sphincter was removed in 3 (10%) patients who had infection of the prosthesis. The above results are in favor of the implantation of this type of prosthesis.