Role of the Artificial Urinary Sphincter in the Treatment of Stress Incontinence in Women

The artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) is rarely indicated in the treatment of women with stress incontinence because most of these women have deficient urethral support rather than pure sphincter weakness and the AUS is a treatment specifically for pure sphincter weakness. The procedure is contraindicated after pelvic radiotherapy and after previous sling surgery because of the high incidence of cuff erosion. Otherwise the artificial sphincter gives excellent results comparable to those seen in men with post-prostatectomy incontinence and much better than in neuropathic bladder dysfunction.