After successfully battling numerous prostate issues and prostate cancer, Peter was left with a damaged sphincter which was severely impacting on his daily life and his mental health.
Following a radical prostatectomy on the NHS in July 2020 and at only 66 years old, Peter was left with some incontinence which multiple pelvic floor exercises failed to help. After seeing a consultant in the NHS and having an Uro-Dynamic test, Peter was diagnosed with a damaged sphincter following his treatment for an englarged prostate, persistent water infections and prostate cancer. He was advised that an Artificial Urinary Sphincter insertion was required but that it would take up to 91 weeks on the NHS.
Peter says ‘To be told the wait could be 91 weeks had a devastating effect on my already fragile mental health so after discussions with my wife and family I decided to see Mr Beckley privately at Spire Methley Park Hospital, which I did in September 2021. This was the first time I had seen him and I found him to be very nice and helpful. He explained that yes it could be up to 91 weeks to get the operation on the NHS but he could do it at Spire Methley Park within weeks. It was a lot of money but I could not contemplate waiting another 91 weeks so I went ahead and Mr Beckley did the operation in October 2021.’
Artificial urinary sphincter
The artificial urinary sphincter is still considered the “gold standard” for the correction of all types of male stress urinary incontinence. At this time it has the best long term success rate, especially for more severe incontinence. It is a slightly more complicated procedure and because the device is mechanical there is a 15% chance of malfunction at 7 years. This may require another operation. Also it requires some manual dexterity to operate the pump, which is located in the scrotum.
After a sphincter, the catheter is removed the following morning but the patient remains in hospital for 72 hours to receive intravenous antibiotics. When discharged the sphincter remains deactivated for 6 weeks to allow healing. At six weeks the patient will be seen in the clinic to active the device and demonstrate how to use it.
Peter's operation
On the day of the operation Mr Beckley saw Peter and ran through the operation once again, ‘he really gave me confidence that he would give me my life back!’
Following the operation Peter experienced some discomfort which was expected, after one week he returned for the clips removing and after six weeks returned to see Mr Beckley who activated the device and showed Peter how to use it. Now continuing his recovery at home, Peter says ‘Since my operation I have been completely dry for the first time since July 2020 and I cannot tell you how good that feels! I can do anything I want, go out anywhere without being wet or having a bag fit, whereas before I was nearly housebound. It is absolutely fantastic and I cannot thank Mr Beckley and the people at Spire Methley Park enough. It is brilliant that I can do what I want now and Mr Beckley has given me my life back. If I had any advice to anyone else thinking of this surgery it would be do it.’
Mr Beckley says of the operation ‘Too many patients suffer in silence with incontinence issues which can have a massive impact on their quality of life. The artificial urinary sphincter involves a relatively minor procedure, is very easy to use and can significantly improve urine leakage. I am really pleased that Peter had such a great outcome following surgery and I would encourage others to take back control of their bladders in the way that he has done.’