ABSTRACT
We report a new and simplified method of continent urinary diversion employing a modified AMS 800 artificial urinary sphincter (AUS). Our aim in using this artificial valve is to make a stoma continent, while allowing intermittent catheterisation. The AMS 800 pump is replaced by a subcutaneous injection port. This allows, by direct puncture, the accurate setting of the closing pressure by varying the volume of the intra-prosthetic liquid, with subsequent adjustment of this pressure as necessary. The cuff is placed on the subcutaneous part of the intestinal loop diversion. The pressure-regulating balloon is implanted within the area of abdominal pressure, retroperitoneally. After first confirming the efficacy of the system in 3 dogs, the device was placed in 2 patients. The first had a neuropathic bladder treated initially by enterocystoplasty with an appendicocutaneous stoma. Secondary leakage was subsequently controlled by placement of the device, with continuing excellent results at 32 months. The second patient was a girl in whom a urogenital rhabdomyosarcoma had been treated by anterior exenteration, radiotherapy and a sigmoid conduit diversion. This was subsequently converted to a continent reservoir by simple augmentation of the conduit and placement of the device, with a good result being maintained after a follow-up of 20 months. These two cases illustrate the best indications for this procedure, namely primary or secondary leakage from a supposedly continent urinary diversion, and conversion of a freely draining conduit into a continent reservoir. Although long-term results are still pending, our experience thus far encourages us to recommend this technique as a simple means of achieving a continent urinary diversion.
