What Is an Artificial Urinary Sphincter (AUS)?
Your urinary sphincter is the muscle that controls urine flow from your bladder. An artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) is a device that takes over the work of a non-functioning urinary sphincter.
This type of incontinence commonly occurs after prostate removal during prostate cancer treatment. An AUS might be right for you if you have no ability to control your urine flow (incontinence).
How Does an Artificial Urinary Sphincter Work?
A urologist implants the AUS device during surgery while you鈥檙e asleep. The device has three parts:
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A fluid-filled cuff that wraps around your urethra. Your urethra is a tube where urine exits your body.
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A balloon in your abdomen.
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A pump in your scrotum. Your scrotum is a pouch-like sac of skin that holds your testicles.
The fluid in the cuff creates pressure that prevents excessive urine from leaking out. It remains closed and filled with fluid until you need to urinate.
When you need to urinate, use the device:
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First, squeeze the pump in your scrotum.
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The fluid in the cuff moves into the balloon in your abdomen, which opens the cuff. This releases the pressure on your urethra so you can urinate as usual.
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After you urinate, the fluid moves back into the cuff within about three minutes.
Can You Have an AUS if You Have a Penile Implant?
You can have both a penile implant and an artificial urinary sphincter. We recommend waiting at least three months between penile implant surgery and AUS surgery to ensure proper recovery.
What to Expect at Your AUS Consultation
At your first AUS consult, your urologist will discuss your symptoms, preferences, and goals for treatment. They also use several tests to ensure that your sphincter is causing the incontinence:
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Abdominal or pelvic CT scans to look at your genitourinary system
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Cystoscopy to look inside your bladder with a small camera
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Urodynamic testing to evaluate how well your bladder works and determine what type of incontinence you have
How to Prepare for AUS Surgery
Your care team will give you specific instructions to prepare for AUS surgery. You will also have blood and urine tests to check your overall health. You will need to avoid eating after midnight the night before the procedure.
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What to Expect During Artificial Urinary Sphincter Surgery
You receive general anesthesia to remain asleep during artificial urinary sphincter surgery. Your urologist follows several steps:
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Makes one incision in your lower abdomen and another in the space between your scrotum and anus (perineum)
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Places the cuff around your urethra
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Implants the scrotal pump and abdominal balloon
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Closes the incisions with stitches
You usually return home the same day as the procedure. You will have a catheter in place that drains urine from your bladder. You return to our clinic the next day to remove the catheter.
Recovery from Artificial Urinary Sphincter Surgery
The device stays inactive for six weeks while your urethra heals. You鈥檒l still have urine leakage during this period. You can expect to follow a general recovery timeline:
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First six weeks: Avoid baths or hot tubs while your incisions heal. You will also need to avoid strenuous activities such as running, skiing, or bicycling.
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Six-week appointment: Your urologist teaches you to use the device and then activates it. Most people can resume all usual activities at this time.
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8鈥10-week appointment: You see your urologist again to ensure the AUS is working well.
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Annual visits: You see your urologist yearly to check the device鈥檚 function. Your urologist also performs a cystoscopy to look inside your urethra with a small camera.
You will need to wear a medical alert tag that says you have an AUS. If you need a urinary catheter, a urologist needs to deactivate the device beforehand.
Living With an Artificial Urinary Sphincter
People who have an AUS report up to 90% satisfaction with the device. However, it鈥檚 important to set accurate expectations before getting the procedure. It will take some time to get used to squeezing a pump every time you need to urinate.
It鈥檚 also important to understand that the cuff prevents excessive leaking. But the cuff must still be loose enough for blood to flow through your urethra. This means you will still have a small amount of leakage after surgery. Many people go from using up to five pads daily to only one.
How Long Does an Artificial Urinary Sphincter Last?
Most people use the AUS for up to 10 years before they need revision surgery. Over time, the device can cause part of your urethra to narrow (atrophy) slightly beneath the cuff.
In these cases, your urologist may need to reposition the cuff to a non-atrophied part of the urethra. The parts of the device itself can also wear out, requiring revision surgery.
Artificial Urinary Sphincter Cost
Most insurance companies, including Medicare, cover both the artificial urinary sphincter and the surgery to implant it. Our financial coordinators can discuss costs and payment plans with you if you don鈥檛 have insurance.
Why Choose 麻豆学生精品版?
Our urologists have experience in implanting all types of prosthetic devices and managing potential complications. We teach and train the next generation of urologists. This demands that we remain at the leading edge of our field, so you benefit from this ongoing advancement. You'll receive comprehensive, long-term follow-up care to ensure you maintain the highest quality of life possible after the AUS procedure.
Understanding Artificial Urinary Sphincter (AUS) for Stress Urinary Incontinence Management
Explore stress urinary incontinence solutions. Learn about the artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) device, how it helps manage incontinence, and critical factors to consider before opting for surgery. Empower yourself with essential health information.
Make an Appointment
Call U of U Health Urology at 801-213-2700 to schedule an appointment with one of our experienced urologists.
You do not need a referral to schedule an appointment. However, some insurance providers require referrals. Contact your insurance carrier with any questions about your plan requirements.