[Management of patients with AMS 800 urinary artificial sphincter]

In the following report we would like to describe the role of the nurse in the handling of patients with persistent urinary incontinence and more specifically the patients who have artificial sphincter implants. The success of these implants largely depend on careful evaluation, preparation surgery and follow-up care and it is quite clear that the nurse plays a major role in the team. The purpose of this paper is therefore, to outline the role of the nurse in this process which in turn can serve as a guideline to other centres as they too commence to do these implants. Our experience stems from the fact we have already evaluated +/- 200 patients of which 56 have had the implants.