Editing Incontinence after Prostate Therapy (2024) (section)

===== AUS =====

====== Indications ======
*'''<span style="color:#ff0000">Consider for mild to severe SUI</span>'''
* '''<span style="color:#ff0000">Preferred in patients with prior (3):</span>'''
*# '''<span style="color:#ff0000">Radiation</span>'''
*#* Patients with IPT following primary, adjuvant or salvage RT should be offered the same conservative management as a patient with postprostatectomy SUI. Patients who fail conservative measures should be offered surgical management, preferably placement of AUS. 
*#* Radiated patients undergoing AUS placement should be counseled on potentially compromised functional outcomes and an increased risk of complications.
*#* '''Slings may be a potential option in some radiated patients but adjustable balloons are significantly less effective [different than 2019 guidelines which only supported AUS after radiation]'''
*# '''<span style="color:#ff0000">Urethral reconstruction</span>'''
*#* Urethral strictures of the anterior urethra and urethral stenosis of the posterior urethra can arise after RP, RT, or treatment for IPT. Urethral reconstructive surgery is often used to treat narrowing in the urethra.
*#* '''Male slings will not be effective given post-surgical changes related to most types of urethral reconstruction in the posterior and anterior urethra''' 
*#* '''Complications rates are higher'''
*#** Depending on the technique employed (urethra transecting or not) the blood supply to the urethra may be diminished and potentially decrease the life span of an AUS.
*# '''<span style="color:#ff0000">Vesicourethral anastomotic stenosis or bladder neck contracture</span>'''
*#* Decreased success rates when undergoing male slings

====== Contraindications ======
*'''<span style="color:#ff0000">Inadequate physical or cognitive abilities to operate the device</span>'''
**Should be some assurance that patients can physically pump a device that is in a normal position in the scrotum.
***There are no uniform ways to demonstrate such dexterity, but a simple demonstration of strength in the fingers and the ability to squeeze the pump between the index finger and thumb should be minimal requirements.

====== Procedure ======
* '''Approach: single cuff perineal approach is preferred'''
** Superior outcomes compared to transverse scrotal incision, likely due to a more distal cuff placement, and reduced risk of complications and need for revision
** Similar outcomes compared to tandem cuff placement but reduced risk of complications

====== Complications ======
* '''<span style="color:#ff0000">Intraoperative urethral injury</span>'''
** '''<span style="color:#ff0000">If identified during implantation, procedure should be abandoned and subsequent implantation should be delayed</span>'''
* '''<span style="color:#ff0000">Persistent leakage</span>'''
* '''<span style="color:#ff0000">Erosion</span>''' 
* '''<span style="color:#ff0000">Infection</span>'''
* '''<span style="color:#ff0000">Mechanical failure</span>'''
*'''<span style="color:#ff0000">Decreased efficacy over time and reoperations are common</span>'''
** '''The current version consists of''' a hydraulic system composed of '''3 separate parts:'''
**# '''A urethral cuff''' of varying sizes
**# '''A pressure regulating balloon reservoir''' with three available pressure profiles
**# '''A control pump'''
*** The device will fail if any of the 3 parts, the tubing, or connections suffer a micro-perforation with loss of fluid
** The rate of device failure increases with time, with '''failure rates of'''
*** '''≈24% at 5 years'''
*** '''≈ 50% at 10 years'''
** '''AUS might need to be replaced over time due to persistent or recurrent incontinence generally due to (3):'''
**# '''Urethral atrophy'''
**# '''Improper cuff sizing'''
**# '''Partial fluid loss'''
**A malfunctioning AUS does not necessarily need to be replaced, but if the patient is healthy and requests a replacement, the AUS can be explanted and a new one replaced at the same operative setting. 
***The durability and efficacy of a secondary re-implant in this setting is the same as that of a primary AUS, except in the setting of erosion
*Risk factors for complications
** Radiation
** Urethral compromise 
*** Can be due to surgical intervention, including urethroplasty, multiple treatments for BNC or stricture, urethral stent placement, and prior AUS erosion1