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Surgical Treatments for Incontinence

Surgical treatments are usually considered after other treatments are exhausted. Other treatments include diet, kegal exercises, and medications. Surgery is always the more invasive choice and surgery always carries common risks with it such as infection, risk from anesthesia, surgical complications and in rare cases even death. Surgery should be weighted carefully with other options and should be a last resort.

Surgical procedures are helpful to remove blockages, and also to change the position of the bladder. Surgery is also an excellent choice when support tissue that surrounds the urethra needs strengthening. Two procedures that can accomplish this are the Burch and sling procedures.

There are differences in the two procedures. The Burch uses artificial sutures and the sling uses muscle taken from the patient's hip. Both of the treatments have the thumbs up from women who have undergone them. Studies show that the sling procedure generally had a better satisfaction rate two years following the procedure than the Burch, but the sling had a higher rate of urinary tract infections and patients experiencing difficulty urinating after the surgery than the Burch did. Women who have had urinary tract infections in the past or who experience difficulty emptying the bladder are not good candidates for the sling procedure.

The newest surgical procedure available for incontinence is called the "midurethral sling". This procedure is less invasive than the other two procedures.

The less invasive procedures that can be tried before going to the surgical procedures involve injection of bulking agents. Surgery becomes an option when others fail and the quality of life is disrupted by the incontinence.

Issues to think about before undergoing surgery:

Make certain of your diagnosis. Get a second opinion regarding the diagnosis and concerning the non-surgical treatments available.

Seek help from an incontinence specialist. They are: urologist, and urogynecologist. These specialists can conduct further specialized testing.

Consider fertility regarding if you are finished with your reproductive life or not. Incontinence surgery is not recommended in cases when couples desire to have more children or have the possibility of wanting to have children in the future.

Surgery is not a cure all for all types of incontinence. Each procedure is designed to correct a certain problem and especially if you have the mixed type of incontinence you will still have to take medications after your surgery to fully control your incontinence. Surgery cannot repair damaged nerves and muscles.

Urinary and genital problems associated with incontinence surgery:

The surgery itself can cause some problems such as:

Urinary retention: which is having difficulty completely emptying your bladder.

Difficulty urinating: feeling the need to urinate, but not be able to do so.

Prolapse of the pelvic organ

Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)

Intercourse that is difficult or painful

Due to the fact that surgery carries risks and each procedure has its own benefits and possible problems associated with it; it is best that you always consult with your doctor and possibly get a second opinion. Most insurance carriers will cover getting a second opinion, check with your company to be sure.