What is an Artificial Urinary Sphincter (AUS)?
“Artificial Urinary Sphincter (AUS) – NO Catheter” is something that we commonly engrave on customers jewellery. So what is it?
An artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) is a device which is implanted in men to treat severe urinary incontinence. It is often used for the management of incontinence after prostate surgery.
At Brisbane Urology Clinic, several of our urologists have a special interest and expertise in male urinary incontinence and AUS implantation.
HOW DOES AN AUS WORK?
The AUS has three parts:
- A cuff filled with fluid which wraps around and closes off the urethra (the pipe you pass urine through).
- A pump in the scrotum which is used to deflate the cuff.
- A fluid reservoir in the abdomen which regulates the flow of fluid in and out of the cuff.
The whole device is completely concealed with no external parts.
In the resting state, the urethral cuff is inflated with fluid, which closes off the urethra.
Squeezing the pump in the scrotum causes the cuff to temporarily deflate, which allows you to pass urine. Over a few minutes the cuff gradually re-inflates to close off the urethra again.
WHY IS IMPLANTATION OF AN AUS REQUIRED?
An AUS is implanted to treat severe stress urinary incontinence in men. This type of urinary incontinence may result from:
- Surgery for prostate cancer.
- Surgery for benign prostate enlargement
- Severe trauma.
WHAT DOES IMPLANTATION OF AN AUS INVOLVE?
The procedure is performed under a general anaesthetic (completely asleep).
We make an incision on the perineum (the skin between the scrotum and the anus). We find the urethra and place the cuff around it.
We make another small incision in the groin. Through this incision we place the fluid reservoir in the abdomen and the pump in the scrotum.
We connect all three parts of the device together. We fill the whole device with water and test it to make sure it is working. We leave the device deactivated at the end of the procedure to allow your tissues to heal.
We close the incisions with dissolvable stitches.
We place a catheter into the bladder through the urethra to drain urine for the first 24 hours after the procedure.
The device will be activated four to six weeks post-operatively. You will still be incontinent of urine until the device is activated.
SOURCE & further information Brisbane Urology Clinic – Brisbane Urology Clinic
We have MANY customers who requests that their Emergency ID is engraved with “Artificial Urinary Sphincter (AUS)” and we highly recommend if you have an Artificial Urinary Sphincter you also wear Emergency ID, so that you are not catheterised in an emergency or medical incident Emergency ID Australia : Shop Medical Alert IDs
