Artificial urinary sphincters following radical prostatectomy

The prostate gland lies directly beneath the bladder in men. It is doughnut-shaped and fits around the urethra. The gland produces a milky fluid that contains nutrients (used by sperm) and several enzymes including phosphate specific antigen (PSA). Secretions from the gland enter the urethra via prostatic ducts and make up part of the volume of semen. They also contribute to sperm motility and viability. For unknown reasons, the prostate enlarges in the majority of men beyond middle age--a condition known as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Urinary symptoms often accompany the enlargement of the prostate.