Intermediate outcomes after transcorporal placement of an artificial urinary sphincter.

Objectives: To report the intermediate outcomes of a transcorporally placed artificial urinary sphincter.

Methods: Medical records of 16 consecutive patients treated with transcorporal placement of artificial urinary sphincter from March 2003 to October 2008 were reviewed. The indications for surgery, operative logs, postoperative evaluations, complication rate and postoperative questionnaire assessment utilizing the International Continence Society short form for men were analyzed.

Results: Eight patients each underwent primary transcorporal cuff placement and revision surgery. Complete data for analysis were available in 15 patients at a median follow up of 45 months (range 23-91 months). The success rate (defined as use of 0-1 pads per day) was 80% (12/15 patients). Average voiding score was 2/20 (standard deviation 1.88), average irritative score was 3/24 (standard deviation 4.92) and the mean Quality-of-Life score was 0.66 (standard deviation 1.04).

Conclusions: Transcorporal placement of an artificial urinary sphincter is both safe and efficacious in patients with a small caliber or atrophic urethra, either as a primary or salvage procedure. Efficacy and level of satisfaction in this subset of patients is equivalent to those undergoing traditional artificial urinary sphincter cuff placement.