Laparoscopic artificial urinary sphincter implantation for female genuine stress urinary incontinence: technique and 4-year experience in 25 patients

OBJECTIVE To assess the safety, feasibility and efficacy of laparoscopic implantation of the artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) in women with genuine stress urinary incontinence (SUI). PATIENTS AND METHODS From April 2005 to July 2009, 25 women (mean age 66.8 years) with genuine SUI had a laparoscopic implantation of the AUS (AMS 800TM, American Medical Systems, Minnetonka, MN, USA). Patients had a negative Marshall test and urodynamic studies showed decreased closure pressure. All patients had a history of urogynaecological surgery. Transperitoneal laparoscopic access was created with two midline 10-mm and two lateral 5-mm trocars. One of the lateral port incisions was later extended to facilitate urethrovaginal dissection with scissors and dissector, and the insertion and assembly of the AUS. In six cases of concomitant genito-urinary prolapse, laparoscopic anterior and posterior mesh promontofixation was also performed. RESULTS The AUS was successfully implanted in all cases with no conversion to open surgery. There were no intra- or perioperative complications, except one vaginal perforation which was repaired during surgery. The mean operative duration was 92 min (71 min without and 123 min with simultaneous promontofixation). Five patients developed urinary retention, which was managed with re-insertion of the urethral catheter for 2 days in four and with insertion of a suprapubic catheter for 4 weeks in a patient with spina bifida. During the mean follow-up of 26.1 months, two treatment failures were diagnosed due to vaginal erosion and were managed with removal of the AUS. All the remaining 23 patients reported continence, either complete (in 19) or social (in four). However, this was not a randomized comparative study. CONCLUSION Laparoscopic implantation of the AUS in women with genuine SUI is safe, feasible and efficient.