Suprapubic suspension of Kaufman urinary incontinence prosthesis: new technique

Many operative procedures have been devised to treat postprostatectomy urinary incontinence. The most widely employed technique today is implantation of the Kaufman urinary incontinence prosthesis. This device maintains continence by passive compression of the bulbous urethra. Unfortunately, it is associated with a 39-per cent failure rate. We have modified Kaufman's operative technique by suspending the posterior straps of the device to the anterior rectus fascia. Passive urethral compression is thus augmented by partial transmission of increases in intra-abdominal pressure. This article describes the details of the surgical procedure and the results in 3 cases.