Peri-Urethral Bulking Injections
Periurethral bulking for a type 3 urinary incontinence: “lead-pipe urethra” (ISD): Bulkamid or Macroplastique
Why is it done?
- Where Intrinsic Sphincter Deficiency has been proved after failed previous sling.
How is it done?
- This procedure is done under a spinal / general anesthetic, as decided by the anesthetist.
- The legs will be elevated into the lithotomy position.
- This procedure is done cystoscopically.
- 3 peri-urethral injections are made with injection of Macroplastique/ Bulkamid until the urethral lumen closes.
Your urine output will be measured each time you urinate, and the residual will be measured. (Patients will be required to do this up to 3 times.)- If the residual amount of urine is more than 1/3 of the total bladder capacity, the patient may have to self-catheterize, until the residual volume is acceptable.
- Prophylactic antibiotics will be given to prevent infection.
What to expect after the procedure?
- Any anesthetic has its risks, and the anesthetist will explain all such risks.
- Complications of hemorrhaging and urine retention.
- Patients will have no catheter when they wake up.
- If you cannot urinate after 2-3 attempts, an in-out catheter may be inserted to empty your bladder.
- You may be required to self-catheterize for a week or two.
- NB! Each person is unique and for this reason symptoms may vary!
What next?
- Patients will have a trial of void without catheter after the procedure
- Patients will be discharged as soon as they can completely empty the bladder.
- Patients may be required to self-catheterize for a week or two (rarely necessary).
- Patients may initially suffer from urge incontinence, but this will improve within the next 6 weeks.
- Allow 6 weeks for symptoms to stabilize.
- You may not experience a full return of continence, and the effects may worsen with time.
- More than 1-2 treatments may provide the desired effects.
- There may be some blood in the urine. This can be remedied by drinking plenty of fluids until it clears.
- On discharge a prescription may be issued for patients to collect.
- Patients are to schedule a follow-up appointment in 6 weeks.
- Please direct all queries to Dr Schoeman’s rooms.
- PLEASE CONTACT THE HOPSITAL DIRECT WITH ANY POST-OPERATIVE CONCERNS AND RETURN TO THE HOSPITAL IMMEDIATELY SHOULD THERE BE ANY SIGNS OF SEPSIS.
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