Artificial Bowel Sphincter

[John]

I have surgery scheduled to implant the Acticon Artificial Bowel Sphincter. After several months, the plan is to test it to make sure I'm continent and then have a second surgery to take down my ileostomy. I will essentially have a pull-through procedure with an artificial sphincter. I wondered if anybody else on the forum has a similar set-up. I have had my ostomy for nine years and I'm hoping this is what I really want. If I'm incontinent after the implant, we'll just skip the second surgery. Anyone? Anyone?

[LindaAukett UOAA Advocacy]

There was some discussion of this middle of last year, maybe more since then. Did you use the search function with the words "Acticon" or "artificial sphincter"? You can find any references to it that might be on this Board by looking there. It's at the right end of the solid blue area at the top of the page.

I presume that you have seen the information in the booklet at
http://www.fda.gov/ohrms/dockets/ac/01/ ... 20info.pdf
I am posting this link for the benefit of others who might read your post and wonder about the mechanism you are planning to have implanted.

Good luck! We will look forward to hearing your experience.

Image shows it in place in a woman - male versions are a bit different in the location of the pump.

[John]

My surgery was a week ago yesterday. I was in the hospital for five days. IT HURTS LIKE HELL! I can't sit for another week and a half. That's right - NO SITTING AT ALL. I'm leaking now, but the device won't be activated for a few more weeks, so I don't know if it works yet. I'll let you know.

[LindaAukett UOAA Advocacy]

Sounds like things went without major complications. Sorry about the no-sitting part for so long, but I guess they don't want pressure on the recently stitched areas.

Thanks for keeping us posted!

[Lynne]

John,

I hope you are improving.Please let us know how you are doing.

[John]

My perineal incisions aren't healing very well. I'm still pretty much on my back in bed because walking seems to open the incisions. Still no sitting. I'm really sick of standing to empty my pouch in a container. Nothing quite like double-handling that stuff. I think my boss is getting mad about my being gone so long. I'm worried I'll pay a price for that. Bottom line - I'm discouraged. I don't know if this was the right decision for me. Honestly, I like having my ostomy just fine.

[katliz]

I had an ABS implanted on Dec. 23rd 2009. I had an explantaion done on Jan.8th 2010 due to infection that started where the switch is (lack of a better word). I know what you are going through.........my heart goes out to you. How are you doing with the implant? It will be turned on soon? Let me know how you are doing please. I am disappointed and would love to hear that someone had a good experience with the procedure. One of my surgeons suggested that I could redo................. Katliz

[John]

Nothing like replying to my own topic...

I found out this afternoon I need urgent surgery tomorrow to remove my implant. After almost two years, the silicone sphincter cuff has eroded through my body. I can see it!!! The whole thing is infected and has to be cleaned up before I get really sick. I'm especially disappointed because I understand the device has been taken off the market, so I can't try again. I'm glad I tried it, but feeling pretty bad that it didn't work out.

[niteseer]

John, I am so very sorry this has happened to you. I had the ABS surgery about 10 years ago. Within days the perineal incision popped stitches loose, and there was an opening all the way to the anal cuff. Long story short, was on strong antibiotics for 8 months. The perineal wound finally healed, and the ABS was activated, but it was always painful. Plus it made sex very painful. And the infection at the cuff could never be completely eradicated; I'd come off the antibiotics, then a week later I'd have pain, redness and swelling following the plastic tube up towards the reservoir. Then the cuff just eroded into the anal canal, and the game was over at that point. The whole thing had to be removed at 8 months post surgery. They said I could wait until the infection cleared up, and then try again. I said, no thanks. A couple years later I had a colostomy due to incontinence, and my life is much better now.

I know the surgeons had a list of "success stories" , so they could introduce people considering the surgery to patients that had it. My name was on the list briefly, then they took me off due to the recurring infection. That's when I knew I was NOT going to be a success story.

I hope you are healing well now. If I can be of any assistance to you, please let me now. I am not a "success story", but I AM a survivor.

[John]

I got home from the hospital yesterday and I'm doing pretty well. The surgeon said the infection wasn't too bad, but it would have never gone away without removing the implant. I'm disappointed I'll have to keep my ostomy, but at least I didn't get real sick from the infection. Thanks for replying niteseer. I would like to exchange stories with you.

[Kymimi12411]

John, I'm so sorry you did not have a successful surgery. I would recommend you go to the General Duscussion Board. There is a wealth of information on there regarding living with an ostomy. As disappointing as this experience has been, there is life after an ostomy and there are wonderful testimonies on that board to attest to that fact.

Hang in there! Things do get better. As Ellen said, she is a survivor and in the final analysis, that is what we all want to be.

Louise <><

[John]

Thanks for the encouragement, Louise. I've had an ostomy for almost eleven years, so I know there isn't much I can't do. I'm still disappointed that I went through three painful surgeries for nothing.

[Winnie]

What type of ostomy is this for? Thanks

[Byron]

Greetings,

I had an artificial bowel/anal sphincter implanted about 7 years ago. It worked great until about a year ago. It seems all the liquid leaked out of it. I've delayed getting it repaired/replaced because I don't like surgery, and also because I don't know where to start. The surgery was done in Los Angeles, and I now live in Kansas City. I don't even remember the name of the surgeon who installed it. I've no idea who in Kansas City can do this surgery. I'm also concerned about the cost. My current health insurance isn't as good as what I had in California. I guess the question is: Where do I start looking for a doctor? Also: what can I expect? Can they be repaired in place? Will the surgery be just like the first surgery?

-Byron

[niteseer]

Hi, Byron. I'll bet this was the manufacturer of your implant: http://www.visitams.com/prof_product_de ... ncter.html

You can contact the company, and they will give you a list of surgeons who do the surgery. Good luck!

(just realized how old the question was. Sorry my answer was not timelier.)