RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the results relative to continence and the complications of the artificial urinary sphincter in the treatment of urinary incontinence due to sphincter incompetence. METHODS: The artificial urinary sphincter model AS 800 was implanted in 35 patients with incontinence arising from various causes. Follow-up ranged from 14 to 108 months (mean 39.8). Patients ages ranged from 4 to 68 years (mean 44.4). There were 17 female (49%) and 18 male patients (51%). The cuff was implanted around the bladder neck in 25 patients (71%) and around the bulbous urethra in 10 (29%). RESULTS: There were 2 mechanical device failures, 2 pump erosion and 1 tube erosion through the abdominal wall in a patient who had had a perforation of an augmentation cystoplasty. Thirty-one patients (88%) became continent. Ten patients (28%) had another operation for device revision or relapse. CONCLUSION: The artificial urinary sphincter is a valid alternative in the treatment of urinary incontinence due to sphincteric incompetence. It is possible to achieve good continence rates, although there is a high revision rate and lifetime follow-up is required.