TREATMENTS FOR BLADDER PROBLEMS

Surgery for urinary incontinence or other bladder-related problems may be considered if conservative strategies have been unsuccessful.

OVERVIEW

Surgery for urinary incontinence or other bladder-related problems (e.g. Overactive bladder without leakage) may be considered if conservative strategies have been unsuccessful – see section on BLADDER PROBLEMS/URINARY INCONTINENCE.

It is important that risks, benefits and alternatives to surgery are fully understood. Both you and your gynaecologist need to feel assured that all relevant issues have been explored before proceeding with surgery.

Cystoscopy is a diagnostic procedure where a telescope (cystoscope) is inserted into the bladder to look for possible causes to explain troublesome bladder symptoms. If required, a bladder biopsy and certain treatments can be performed at the same time.

Cystoscopy

 

Minimally Invasive treatments include:

  • Mid-urethral Tapes (e.g. TVT-O, TVT) > treatment for stress urinary incontinence
  • Urethral bulking injections > treatment for stress urinary incontinence
  • Botox treatment to the bladder > treatment for overactive bladder/ urgency incontinence

Colposuspension is a major procedure performed less commonly for stress urinary incontinence and can be undertaken through the laparoscopic (‘key-hole’) or laparotomy (larger incision in the abdomen) route. This will be determined by surgeon experience and patient preference.

MIDURETHRAL TAPES                                 

This is a surgical treatment for stress urinary incontinence i.e. urinary leakage with coughing, sneezing, effort and/or exertion.

The operation involves placing a piece of synthetic mesh material, like a sling, under your urethra to support it. The ‘cure’ rate is in the region of 80-90%. Note: The mesh material is made of a non-absorbable material and is intended to be a permanent implant.

Intended benefits:

  • The main intended benefit of the tape procedure is to cure or improve stress urinary incontinence.
  • Published studies have shown similar or better success results in curing or improving stress urinary incontinence to those gained by more traditional non-tape surgical procedures.
  • The procedure is not intended to improve symptoms of an overactive bladder (urinary frequency, urgency, urgency incontinence or waking up at night to pass urine). This is a different condition that sometimes may improve following this type of surgery and sometimes may worsen.

There are two main types of vaginal mesh tape procedures commonly used for stress urinary incontinence:

Comparison Retropubic tape Transobturator tape
Outside cuts 2 small cuts in the lower abdomen above the pubic bone
(Retropubic / TVT)
2 small cuts in the groin area (Transobturator/TVT-O/TOT)
Success Rate Better evidence of long – term success rates Similar success rate in the short and medium-term. Long term data (5 years and beyond) are awaited*.
Bladder injury** during surgery Higher risk* Lower risk*
Bladder emptying problems Higher risk* Lower risk*
Long-term pelvic pain Lower risk* Higher risk*

*For more information regarding midurethral tapes, especially with respect to risks/complications and alternatives, please refer to the patient information leaflet below titled: MESH TAPES FOR STRESS INCONTINENCE

URETHRAL BULKING AGENTS

This procedure involves injection of a bulking agent into the urethra to add volume to the tissue. This supports the closing mechanism of the urethra and provides better control of urine when you cough, laugh, sneeze, exert yourself or change position.

The cure rate is not well defined but is less than that of the midurethral tape. However, it has the advantage of being less invasive, not requiring a mesh and having less risks/complications. Examples of  complications (relatively uncommon) include:

  • Pain related to the procedure
  • Small amount of blood in the urine
  • Delayed urination
  • Painful urination
  • Urinary tract infection

These complications are temporary and should resolve within a few days/weeks.

The procedure is carried out under general anaesthesia as a day case procedure and usually takes 15-20 minutes to perform. Patients go home the same day and should be able to return to normal activities within 24-48 hours.

If the effect of the bulking agent is insufficient following the first injection, a ‘top-up’ injection may be considered to try and achieve better symptom control.

BOTOX TREATMENT TO THE BLADDER

Botulinum neurotoxin is used for a variety of therapeutic indications. This agent is now gaining popularity for treatment of otherwise healthy patients with overactive bladder syndrome (OAB). OAB is characterised by urinary urgency (with or without leakage), often accompanied by passing urine frequently during the day and/or night. Other possible causes e.g. urinary tract infection, need to have been excluded.

If conservative measures to improve OAB have been unsuccessful, then you may be offered Botox treatment to the bladder. This is a minimally invasive procedure, usually taking about 30 minutes to perform. It involves injecting Botox into the bladder wall via a camera called a cystoscope (see section on CYSTOSCOPY).

You will usually go home the same day and return to normal activities within 24 hours of the procedure. The benefits of bladder botox usually last 6-9 months or longer. Repeat courses may be offered depending on your symptoms.

What are the risks of Bladder Botox treatment?

  • You may see some blood in the urine initially after the procedure. Significant bleeding is extremely rare.
  • Urinary tract infection is reported in about 1 in 12 cases but this can be easily treated with antibiotics.
  • 3 to 10% of patients may require temporary self-catheterisation to help the bladder empty.

 

Patient Information (PDFs)

DECIDING ON THE BEST TREATMENT OPTION CAN SOMETIMES BE CHALLENGING. YOUR SYMPTOMS AND INDIVIDUAL CIRCUMSTANCES SHOULD FORM THE BASIS OF ANY DECISION-MAKING. A SPECIALIST GYNAECOLOGIST CAN HELP GUIDE YOU THROUGH THIS PROCESS