Transurethral Sphincterotomy and an Artificial Urinary Sphincter – A Novel 2-Stage Surgery for Refractory Bladder Emptying Disorders: A Proof-of-Concept Study

Purpose We developed an innovative 2-stage procedure combining transurethral sphincterotomy (TURS) with artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) implantation to restore voiding in patients with refractory bladder emptying disorders. This proof-of-concept study evaluated its safety and efficacy. Methods We...

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Main Authors: Kyung Tak Oh, Avelyn Noble Lim, Alwadai Raed Ibrahim, Jang Hwan Kim
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Korean Continence Society 2025-06-01
Series:International Neurourology Journal
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Online Access:http://einj.org/upload/pdf/inj-2550016-008.pdf
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author Kyung Tak Oh
Avelyn Noble Lim
Alwadai Raed Ibrahim
Jang Hwan Kim
author_facet Kyung Tak Oh
Avelyn Noble Lim
Alwadai Raed Ibrahim
Jang Hwan Kim
author_sort Kyung Tak Oh
collection DOAJ
description Purpose We developed an innovative 2-stage procedure combining transurethral sphincterotomy (TURS) with artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) implantation to restore voiding in patients with refractory bladder emptying disorders. This proof-of-concept study evaluated its safety and efficacy. Methods We retrospectively reviewed clinical data from patients who underwent combined TURS and AUS implantation between April 7, 2021, and October 31, 2024. Eligible patients had neurogenic bladder with refractory emptying, irreversible neurogenic disease, and no mechanical obstruction (e.g., urethral strictures). In the TURS stage, the entire inner urethral segment corresponding to the external sphincter was resected to induce intrinsic sphincter deficiency; this was followed by AUS placement. We analyzed patient demographics, preoperative and postoperative daily pad usage, clean intermittent catheterization (CIC) frequency, patient-reported outcomes (Life Quality [LQ], International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire [ICIQ], Sandvik Severity Index [SAND]), postvoid residual (PVR) urine volume, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), abdominopelvic ultrasonography, and postoperative complications. Results Four out of 6 patients (66.7%) successfully achieved CIC-free status, with effective self-voiding achieved through AUS activation and abdominal pressure generation. Significant improvements were documented in LQ scores (P=0.042), ICIQ scores (P=0.004), and SAND scores (P=0.039). Median PVR significantly decreased from 237.5 mL (interquartile range [IQR], 112.5–317.5 mL) preoperatively to 1.5 mL (IQR, 0–85.8 mL) postoperatively (P=0.028). No patient demonstrated upper-tract damage or significant eGFR change. One patient developed an AUS infection requiring explantation; another remained CIC-dependent due to insufficient abdominal pressure. Conclusions Combining TURS with AUS implantation is a safe and effective surgical option for refractory bladder emptying disorders, yielding significant improvements in voiding autonomy and quality of life while reducing catheter dependence. Future studies with larger cohorts and longer follow-up are warranted to validate safety, long-term durability, and broader applicability. These findings may shift current paradigms in neurogenic bladder management.
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spelling doaj-art-9f19ceafb4324f5fb7daa15f5a3d95e92025-07-28T05:38:46ZengKorean Continence SocietyInternational Neurourology Journal2093-47772093-69312025-06-0129212513410.5213/inj.2550016.0081160Transurethral Sphincterotomy and an Artificial Urinary Sphincter – A Novel 2-Stage Surgery for Refractory Bladder Emptying Disorders: A Proof-of-Concept StudyKyung Tak Oh0Avelyn Noble Lim1Alwadai Raed Ibrahim2Jang Hwan Kim3 Department of Urology and Urological Science Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea Department of Urology and Urological Science Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea Department of Urology and Urological Science Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea Department of Urology and Urological Science Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, KoreaPurpose We developed an innovative 2-stage procedure combining transurethral sphincterotomy (TURS) with artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) implantation to restore voiding in patients with refractory bladder emptying disorders. This proof-of-concept study evaluated its safety and efficacy. Methods We retrospectively reviewed clinical data from patients who underwent combined TURS and AUS implantation between April 7, 2021, and October 31, 2024. Eligible patients had neurogenic bladder with refractory emptying, irreversible neurogenic disease, and no mechanical obstruction (e.g., urethral strictures). In the TURS stage, the entire inner urethral segment corresponding to the external sphincter was resected to induce intrinsic sphincter deficiency; this was followed by AUS placement. We analyzed patient demographics, preoperative and postoperative daily pad usage, clean intermittent catheterization (CIC) frequency, patient-reported outcomes (Life Quality [LQ], International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire [ICIQ], Sandvik Severity Index [SAND]), postvoid residual (PVR) urine volume, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), abdominopelvic ultrasonography, and postoperative complications. Results Four out of 6 patients (66.7%) successfully achieved CIC-free status, with effective self-voiding achieved through AUS activation and abdominal pressure generation. Significant improvements were documented in LQ scores (P=0.042), ICIQ scores (P=0.004), and SAND scores (P=0.039). Median PVR significantly decreased from 237.5 mL (interquartile range [IQR], 112.5–317.5 mL) preoperatively to 1.5 mL (IQR, 0–85.8 mL) postoperatively (P=0.028). No patient demonstrated upper-tract damage or significant eGFR change. One patient developed an AUS infection requiring explantation; another remained CIC-dependent due to insufficient abdominal pressure. Conclusions Combining TURS with AUS implantation is a safe and effective surgical option for refractory bladder emptying disorders, yielding significant improvements in voiding autonomy and quality of life while reducing catheter dependence. Future studies with larger cohorts and longer follow-up are warranted to validate safety, long-term durability, and broader applicability. These findings may shift current paradigms in neurogenic bladder management.http://einj.org/upload/pdf/inj-2550016-008.pdfurinary bladder, neurogenicurinary sphincter, artificialintermittent urethral catheterization
spellingShingle Kyung Tak Oh
Avelyn Noble Lim
Alwadai Raed Ibrahim
Jang Hwan Kim
Transurethral Sphincterotomy and an Artificial Urinary Sphincter – A Novel 2-Stage Surgery for Refractory Bladder Emptying Disorders: A Proof-of-Concept Study
International Neurourology Journal
urinary bladder, neurogenic
urinary sphincter, artificial
intermittent urethral catheterization
title Transurethral Sphincterotomy and an Artificial Urinary Sphincter – A Novel 2-Stage Surgery for Refractory Bladder Emptying Disorders: A Proof-of-Concept Study
title_full Transurethral Sphincterotomy and an Artificial Urinary Sphincter – A Novel 2-Stage Surgery for Refractory Bladder Emptying Disorders: A Proof-of-Concept Study
title_fullStr Transurethral Sphincterotomy and an Artificial Urinary Sphincter – A Novel 2-Stage Surgery for Refractory Bladder Emptying Disorders: A Proof-of-Concept Study
title_full_unstemmed Transurethral Sphincterotomy and an Artificial Urinary Sphincter – A Novel 2-Stage Surgery for Refractory Bladder Emptying Disorders: A Proof-of-Concept Study
title_short Transurethral Sphincterotomy and an Artificial Urinary Sphincter – A Novel 2-Stage Surgery for Refractory Bladder Emptying Disorders: A Proof-of-Concept Study
title_sort transurethral sphincterotomy and an artificial urinary sphincter a novel 2 stage surgery for refractory bladder emptying disorders a proof of concept study
topic urinary bladder, neurogenic
urinary sphincter, artificial
intermittent urethral catheterization
url http://einj.org/upload/pdf/inj-2550016-008.pdf
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