DM Sphincter

The AMS Sphincter 800 Urinary Prosthesis is a small fluid-filled device that is implanted within the body. It is designed to mimic the natural process of urinary control and urination. When your body's sphincter muscle, the muscle that controls the ability to hold and release urine, does not work correctly, you may leak urine. This problem is known as urinary incontinence. The Sphincter can be implanted in males and females, in either adults or children. This article will explain how the AMS Sphincter 800 works within your body.

Balloon: The balloon is implanted in a space next to the bladder.
Tubing: The parts of the device are connected by tubing that allows fluid to move within the device.
Cuff: The cuff surrounds the urethra.
Deactivation Button: This small button can be felt on the upper, hard part of the pump.
Pump: The pump lies in the scrotum can be felt through the skin. The lower part of the pump is soft and squeezable, and the upper part containing the deactivation button is hard.

Balloon: The balloon is implanted in a space next to the bladder.
Tubing: The parts of the device are connected by tubing that allows fluid to move within the device.
Cuff: The cuff surrounds the urethra.
Deactivation Button: This small button is on the hard, upper part of the pump.
Pump: The pump lies in one fold of the labia and can be felt through the skin. The lower part of the pump is soft and squeezable, and the upper part containing the deactivation button is hard.

The cuff, which is filled with fluid, gently squeezes the urethra closed to keep urine in the bladder.

To urinate, the cuff is opened by squeezing the pump several times. This moves the fluid out of the cuff into the balloon. Because the empty cuff does not press the urethra closed, urine can flow from the bladder.

Within several minutes after urinating, the fluid automatically flows from the balloon back to the cuff. When the cuff is full, it squeezes the urethra closed.

Immediately after surgery I will allow the patient to make an attempt to urinate after she returns to the recovery area. Once she has voided, and is completely stable she can return home. I have only had a rare patient who was unable to urinate after this type of procedure, and in that case I have sent her home with a catheter in the bladder for a couple of days. I leave a gauze pad in the vagina that can be removed the day after surgery. Pain medication is taken as needed, and the prescribed antibiotics are taken as directed until the prescription is complete. There is frequently a little pain for a few days, but not much. There can be a little bleeding from the vagina off and on for 2-3 weeks as healing is occurring. I ask my patients not to take a tub bath for about 2 weeks, and to refrain from sexual intercourse for about 4 weeks. It is allright to shower the day after surgery. Should there be any other concerns not covered here, we welcome our patient’s calls to the office.