From the Guidelines
The Artificial Urinary Sphincter (AUS) 800 pump is a highly effective treatment option for patients experiencing mild to severe stress urinary incontinence after prostate treatment, with a strong recommendation for its use based on Grade B evidence 1. The AUS 800 pump is a urological device used to treat urinary incontinence, particularly in men who have undergone prostate surgery. It is an artificial urinary sphincter system consisting of three main components: a cuff that wraps around the urethra, a pressure-regulating balloon placed in the abdomen, and a control pump implanted in the scrotum. Some key points to consider when discussing the AUS 800 pump with patients include:
- The system works by keeping the cuff inflated to close off the urethra and prevent urine leakage.
- When the patient wants to urinate, they squeeze the scrotal pump several times, which transfers fluid from the cuff to the balloon, allowing the urethra to open.
- After urination, the system automatically refills the cuff over a few minutes, closing the urethra again.
- Patients should be informed regarding inherent risks of AUS placement including persistent leakage, mechanical failure, erosion, and infection, as noted in the 2024 guideline updates 1.
- Studies have shown that complete continence can be achieved in a significant portion of patients, with 20% of patients experiencing complete continence and 55% having leakage of only a few drops daily, with high patient satisfaction rates 1.
From the Research
Artificial Urinary Sphincter (AUS) 800 Pump
The Artificial Urinary Sphincter (AUS) 800 pump, also known as the AMS 800, is a device used to treat male stress urinary incontinence (SUI) [(2,3,4,5,6)].
Key Features and Uses
- The AUS 800 is considered the "gold-standard" for male incontinence surgical treatment [(4,5)]
- It is the most commonly implanted artificial urinary sphincter worldwide [(2,5)]
- The device is used to treat post-prostatectomy incontinence, as well as other forms of male SUI [(3,5,6)]
- The AUS 800 has been shown to be effective in achieving social continence (1 pad per day) in the majority of patients, with patient satisfaction rates averaging over 80% 5
Surgical Procedure and Complications
- The device is typically implanted through a surgical procedure, with the cuff placed around the bulbous urethra 3
- Potential complications include infection, urethral erosion, and mechanical failure [(2,3,5)]
- Revision surgeries may be necessary to address complications such as urethral atrophy or device malfunction [(5,6)]
Outcomes and Follow-up
- The majority of patients achieve social continence after AUS 800 implantation, with some achieving total continence [(3,5)]
- Long-term follow-up is necessary to monitor device function and address any potential complications [(4,5)]
- Patient counseling and adherence to surgical principles are crucial to ensuring successful outcomes [(2,5)]