Objective: To investigate the feasibility, safety, and functional results of robotic-assisted artificial urinary sphincter (R-AUS) laparoscopic implantation in women with stress urinary incontinence due to intrinsic sphincter deficiency.
Patients and methods: Six women underwent an R-AUS implantation between 2012 and 2013. The mean age was 65 ± 9.6 years. Five patients had previous surgery for incontinence. The mean duration of follow-up was 14.3 months. A transperitoneal approach with a lateral positioning of the robotic arms was performed. The cuff implantation, positioning of the reservoir, and the pump were carried out similarly to the laparoscopic technique. Operative time, intraoperative occurrence of injuries of the bladder or vagina, postoperative complications, and continence (pad per day) were assessed.
Results: The R-AUS implantation was feasible in all cases without intraoperative injury and 1 grade 1 postoperative complication. Mean operative time, postoperative bladder catheterization, and hospitalization time were 210 ± 32 minutes, 7 days, and 6 days, respectively. At the end of the follow-up, 83% of cases were fully continent.
Conclusion: R-AUS implantation in incontinent women with intrinsic sphincter deficiency was feasible and safe with good functional results. More data are needed before concluding to the superiority of this new technique compared with open or laparoscopic approaches.
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