[Male neurogenic stress urinary incontinence treated by artificial urinary sphincter AMS 800™ (Boston Scientific, Boston, USA): Very long-term results (>25 years)].

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to report the very long-term functional outcomes of artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) in male neurological patients.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: Male neurological patients diagnosed with stress urinary incontinence due to sphincter deficiency and undergoing AUS (AMS 800® ) implantation between 1985 and 1992 were enrolled. Continence, defined by no pad/condom usage, explantation and revision rates were reported.

RESULTS: Fourteen patients with a median age of 27.3 years (IQR: 27.3-40.8) were included: four had a spinal cord injury and ten a spina bifida. Prior continence surgery was reported by 6 patients (42.9 %). Artificial urinary sphincter was implanted in a peribulbar (n=4) or periprostatic position (n=10). Median follow-up was 18.3 years (IQR: 10.1-20.3). At last follow-up, all patients were alive. Three native devices were still in place, eight were revised (four of them were secondarily explanted) and three were explanted due to erosion or infection. The 5-, 10-, 15-, 20-year explantation-free survival rates were respectively 85.7, 62.3, 52.0, 39.0 %. The 5-, 10-, 15-, 20-year revision-free survival rates were respectively 78.6, 42.9, 28.6, 7.1 %. At last follow-up, 50 % patients were continent.

CONCLUSION: In the very long run, AUS provided a 50 % continence rate in male neurological patients but the revision rates were important.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4.