[Impact of anastomotic strictures on treatment of post-prostatectomy stress incontinence by artificial urinary sphincter]

Introduction: Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) is a degradation of the quality of life factor in the consequences of radical prostatectomy. Artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) is the standard treatment. Screening and preoperative treatment of anastomotic strictures (AS) is an essential step for the success of the intervention. The objective of the study was to assess the impact of AS on the results of AUA.

Methods: We retrospectively studied 147 AUS settlements from 2005 to 2013 in the urology department of the Centre Hospitalier Lyon by three operators. The demographic characteristics, the irradiation history, the severity of incontinence, the complications of AUS, the continence rate and the postoperative satisfaction were collected. Wilcoxon statistical tests and Fischer and a Kaplan-Meier curve were used to compare the two control groups and AS. Logistic regression analysis looked for predictors of surgical reintervention.

Results: Of the 147 patients included, 24 (16.3%) had a history of AS. Of these, 21 (87.5%) were treated with endoscopic urethrotomy. Patients in the AS group had more severe incontinence (P<0.05) than in the control group. Explantation rates, recurrence of incontinence and reoperation was 12.5%, 8.3% and 33.3% in the AS group against 4.9%, 15.4% and 27.6% in the control group. In logistic regression, history of AS has not been found as reoperation risk factor. Continents and satisfied patients rate were 77.8% and 76.5%, respectively in the AS group against 91.1% and 81.1% in the control group.

Conclusion: The history of AS does not appear to be predictive of poor outcome after implementation of a AUS. Larger cohort studies are needed to confirm these results.

Level of evidence: 4.