Current use of the artificial urinary sphincter and its long-term durability: a nationwide survey in Japan.
OBJECTIVE
Although the artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) is one of the most effective surgical treatments for severe urinary incontinence, little is known about its use in Japan. A nationwide survey was done to determine contemporary trends in AUS use and its long-term durability.


METHODS
Data on AUS units sold in Japan were provided directly by Takai Hospital Supply Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan, and a survey form was sent to all 44 institutes where AUS implantation had been carried out. The survey included various demographic and preoperative variables, surgical variables, and postoperative outcomes.


RESULTS
Between 1994 and 2007, a total of 100 AUS devices had been provided in Japan. Of the 44 institutes, 24 responded to the survey, and a total of 64 patients were enrolled in the study. Post-urological surgery incontinence accounted for 81.3% of the indications. During the mean follow-up of 50 months, mechanical failure occurred in four (6.2%), and the device was removed in 13 (20.3%) due to infection (14.0%), erosion (4.7%), or urination difficulty (1.5%). Of the 58 patients evaluated, 91.4% reported social continence. Five- and 10-year failure-free rates were 74.8% and 70.1%, respectively. On multivariate analysis, operative time was an independent predictor of treatment failure (P = 0.0334).


CONCLUSIONS
Considering recent trends in prostate surgery, the AUS may be significantly underused in Japan. Although excellent long-term durability has been achieved, a learning effect appears to be evident. The Japanese urological community needs to provide appropriate patients with this treatment option.
Arai
Yoichi
Y
Department of Urology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan. yarai@uro.med.tohoku.ac.jp
Takei
Mineo
M
Nonomura
Katsuya
K
Baba
Shiro
S
Habuchi
Tomonori
T
Matsuda
Tadashi
T
Takahashi
Satoru
S
Igawa
Mikio
M
Kaiho
Yasuhiro
Y
Nakagawa
Haruo
H
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019919:Prosthesis Implantation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000639:trends; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014549:Urinary Incontinence / Q000601:surgery; D016741:Urinary Sphincter, Artificial / Q000706:statistics & numerical data* / Q000639:trends; D055815:Young Adult