Frequently Asked Questions About Male Incontinence Surgery

Male stress incontinence is involuntary urine leakage with physical activity, coughing, sneezing, or standing. It occurs when the urinary sphincter (valve controlling urine release) is weakened or damaged, most commonly after prostate surgery.

Most urologists recommend waiting 12-18 months after prostate surgery, as continence often improves during this time. However, if you have severe leakage or no improvement after 6-12 months, earlier evaluation may be appropriate.

An AUS is an implantable device that functions as an artificial valve to control urine release. It consists of a cuff around the urethra, a pressure-regulating balloon, and a pump placed in the scrotum. You manually activate the pump to urinate.

A male sling is a surgical procedure that places a supportive mesh or tissue strip under the urethra to provide compression and improve continence. It's typically considered for mild to moderate incontinence and doesn't require manual operation.

The choice depends on incontinence severity, prior treatments, and patient factors. AUS generally provides better results for severe incontinence and is considered the gold standard. Male slings work better for mild to moderate leakage. Dr. Vanni will recommend the best option for your situation.

AUS achieves a 94% improvement in experienced hands. Male slings achieve an 85% success for appropriate candidates. Success depends on incontinence severity, prior treatments, and patient factors.

AUS and Male Sling implantation typically take about an hour. These are outpatient procedures in most cases.

The artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) achieves significant or complete continence in approximately 94% of patients. Patient satisfaction rates exceed 90% at long-term follow-up. The AUS is considered the gold-standard treatment for moderate to severe post-prostatectomy incontinence.

Recovery varies by procedure. Male sling surgery typically requires 4-6 weeks of restricted activity. Artificial urinary sphincter placement also requires 4-6 weeks of restricted activity, with device activation at 4-6 weeks post-operatively.

Modern artificial urinary sphincters have excellent mechanical reliability with 90-95% device survival at 10 years. When mechanical failure does occur, the device can be replaced or repaired. Annual check-ups help monitor device function over time.

The best treatment depends on incontinence severity, sphincter function, and prior radiation history. Dr. Vanni performs detailed pre-operative evaluation including pad weight testing and urodynamic studies to recommend the procedure most likely to achieve durable continence for your specific situation.

The AUS is typically deactivated for 6-8 weeks after surgery to allow complete healing before regular use. Your surgeon will activate the device when healing is complete.