A Medical Silastic Prosthesis for the Control of Urinary Incontinence in the Male: A Preliminary Report

Abstract

IN 1961, Berry¹ reported a new surgical procedure for the control of urinary incontinence, in the male, resulting from an ineffective sphincter mechanism. He created a new “sphincter” in the bulbus urethra by implantation of an acrylic prosthesis between the bulbocavernosus and the bulbus portion of the urethra. The prosthesis saddled the urethra and was fixed in position by four wire sutures located at each corner of the prosthesis, the wires being anchored to the fascia of the ischiocavernosus and the ischial tuberosities. The increase in urethral resistance created in the area of the bulbus urethra near the membranous urethra was sufficient to achieve continence, yet still allow a free-flowing urinary stream during micturition.