Anterior urethral erosion: report of a malfunctioned and infected artificial urinary sphincter

Abstract

Background: Since its introduction in less than a century, artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) remains the gold standard in the treatment of severe male sphincter weakness incontinence. It is an extremely reliable prosthesis and patient's satisfaction rate is high after successful implantation. However, complications can occur following implantation and one of the most feared complications is anterior urethral erosion from sphincter malfunction and failure. As patients embark on medical tourism, Urologists in our environment may be challenged with complications resulting from various interventions not readily available in our environment.
Case Summary: A 15 year old male student presented to our facility with fever of one week duration and painful scrotal swelling which ruptured spontaneously discharging purulent foulsmelling fluid two (2) months following successful implantation of AUS at a hospital in India. He was febrile with temperature of 38.70C, respiratory rate 32 cycles/minute, pulse rate 110 beat per minutes and blood pressure of 100/60mmHg. His packed cell volume was 34 % other laboratory parameters were not remarkable. He was managed for urosepsis with intravenous infusion, parenteral antibiotics, and initial wound debridement and subsequent AUS ex-plantation and perineal urethrostomy. Patient did well and he is awaiting urethroplasty and AUS placement.
Conclusion: Artificial urinary sphincter removal and perineal urethrostomy is a viable option for the emergency management of anterior urethral erosion due to malfunctioned infected artificial sphincter.

Keywords: Anterior urethral erosion, artificial urinary sphincter, Urosepsis, perineal urethrostomy, urethroplasty

Savannah Journal of Medical Research and Practice 2018;7(1):23-27