Urological Prosthetic Surgery
Prosthetics are used in Urology to treat stress urinary incontinence or to help patients regain erectile function that does not respond to medical management.
Physicians at UCSF specialize in the placement of artificial urethral sphincters. This procedure involves the placement of an “inflatable donut” around the urethra that is connected both to a pump and a fluid reservoir. The donut passively inflates and provides continuous occlusion of the urethra until a patient feels the need to void, at which time they squeeze the pump (generally placed in the scrotum in males or labia majora in females) and fluid is pumped from the “donut” to the reservoir (generally placed in the pelvis beside the bladder). This process removes pressure from the urethra and the patient is able to void normally. The balloon passively re-inflates after several minutes, and re-occludes the urethra, thus preventing leakage.
Prosthetic devices for erectile dysfunction include malleable, two-piece inflatable, and three-piece inflatable devices that are implanted in men who have failed medical therapies for erectile dysfunction. The appropriate device is tailored toward individual patient desires and clinical condition, but satisfactory results are usually obtained.