Management of urinary incontinence after prostatectomy with the artificial urinary sphincter.

A total of 37 patients underwent implantation of the artificial urinary sphincter for urinary incontinence after prostatectomy. Followup was 4 to 96 months, with a mean of 37 months. Social continence was achieved in 94.5 per cent of the patients. No abnormality of detrusor function was found in any patient. Prior pelvic irradiation appears to increase the risk of cuff erosion. Routine nocturnal deactivation of the device together with primary deactivation is recommended to decrease the incidence of cuff erosion in this patient group.