What is an artificial sphincter?

The artificial sphincter is a device that can be surgically implanted in men or women suffering from persistent, severe incontinence problems. When urinary urinary urinary spongeter is weakened or damaged, it is impossible to control urination. If the less invasive treatment is unsuccessful, the surgeon can wrap an artificial sphincter over the weak area. The cuff is inflated by a pump controlled by the patient to tighten and release the urethra. The procedure has a high success rate and can significantly improve the quality of life of a person. Women are more likely to need a procedure than men, especially if they are over 50 years of age and had more pregnancies. After a serious injury or prostate surgery, urinary spinkr can be weakened. D usually placed under general anesthesia. Some surgeons and patients prefer to use localized anesthetic, which is injected into the lower spine to dull the legs and pelvis. With a dull area there is a small cut in the lower abdomen, laboratory or scrotum that allows the surgeon to access the urethrai. A round inflatable tube called the cuff around the sphincter and a balloon filled under the lower abdominal muscles is a balloon filled with water.

flexible, hollow tube runs from the balloon and cuff to the control pump. The pump is implanted just below the skin in a new skin or scrotum. With all pieces of artificial sphincter in place, the surgeon sews the cut and takes the patient to the recovery room for careful monitoring. In most cases, patients must stay in the hospital for several days and use catheters to give their bodies time to heal.

When a doctor decides to be well recovered, he can explain how an artificial sphincter works. When the cuff is inflated, it presses the urethra closure and maintains urine trapped in the bladder. In order to cancel the bladder, the patient presses the pump in ashamed or scrotum. Drain the drain from the cuff to the balloon to release the urethra and allow the urine to escape. Cuff with carsOhatically inflates after about three minutes.

With an artificial sphincter, there may be some leakage. However, most patients are very pleased to improve their symptoms. After surgery, regular visits to a urologist or gynecologist are important to ensure that the sphincter is still working properly.