Artificial sphincter insertion after radiotherapy: is it worthwhile?

Abstract

Objective: To determine the influence of radiotherapy on the outcome of artificial urinary sphincter implantation.

Patients and methods: A series of 72 men who had an artificial urinary sphincter inserted were reviewed retrospectively, analysing in detail the information from 15 patients with a past history of pelvic radiotherapy.

Results: In those who had undergone radiotherapy, the complication rate was higher, both for re-operation (eight of 15) and infection (three); 11 of the 15 patients were continent after surgery, compared with 51 (89%) of the 57 in the unirradiated group.

Conclusions: An artificial sphincter can be inserted after pelvic radiotherapy reasonably successfully, but at the cost of a high complication and re-operation rate. Patients with a previous history of radiotherapy should be informed of the higher risk of surgical revision associated with insertion of the prosthesis.