ARTIFICIAL BLADDER SPHINCTER AS-721 FOR THE TREATMENT OF INCONTINENCE IN PATIENTS WITH NEUROGENIC BLADDER

An artificial sphincter was placed at the bladder neck in 9 male and 3 female patients with urinary incontinence and neurovesical dysfunction. Criteria for selection of patients included complete bladder emptying, absence of vesicoureteral reflux and normal upper urinary tracts. Of the 9 male patients 6 became continent, with an average followup of 25 months, and only 1 mechanical failure occurred. The results were less satisfactory in the 3 female patients, 2 of whom eventually required supravesical diversion. Artificial sphincters are valuable in the treatment of certain children and adults who are incontinent because the pelvic floor is damaged or denervated, even if they have neurovesical dysfunction.