Artificial sphincter insertion after radiotherapy: is it worthwhile?
OBJECTIVE
To determine the influence of radiotherapy on the outcome of artificial urinary sphincter implantation.


METHODS
A series of 72 men who had an artificial urinary sphincter inserted were reviewed retrospectively, analysing in detail the information from 15 patients with a past history of pelvic radiotherapy.


RESULTS
In those who had undergone radiotherapy, the complication rate was higher, both for re-operation (eight of 15) and infection (three); 11 of the 15 patients were continent after surgery, compared with 51 (89%) of the 57 in the unirradiated group.


CONCLUSIONS
An artificial sphincter can be inserted after pelvic radiotherapy reasonably successfully, but at the cost of a high complication and re-operation rate. Patients with a previous history of radiotherapy should be informed of the higher risk of surgical revision associated with insertion of the prosthesis.
Manunta
A
A
Department of Urology, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Pontchaillou, Rennes, France.
Guillé
F
F
Patard
J J
JJ
Lobel
B
B
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy; D012004:Rectal Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014549:Urinary Incontinence / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D016741:Urinary Sphincter, Artificial