The artificial urinary sphincter. Experience in adults.

The author's experience and results of implanting the artificial sphincter into 406 adults from June 1972 through March 1988 are reviewed. The early experience in which the device was pressurized by means of valves has been compared with later experience with the device whose pressure is controlled by means of a balloon. The degree of continence has been assessed according to the model of the device, the etiology of the incontinence, the location of the cuff, and the pressure that was chosen. The patients have been grateful to achieve an improved quality of life with social urinary continence brought about by improvements in the prosthesis. Additional improvements in the fitting of the cuff might bring even better results.