Urogynaecology
TVT Sling Procedure
This is a relatively new technique which treats stress incontinence. The procedure works by inserting a mesh under the middle of the urethra to support it. A cystoscope is then used to check that the mesh is in the correct position and that there is no bladder injury.
You would have a general anaesthetic and the procedure takes about 30 minutes. You can expect to be in hospital for just 1-2 nights and the full recovery period takes 4-6 weeks.
Urinary Incontinence
Incontinence can be cured. Incontinence can significantly interfere with professional, social and personal activities and cause embarrassment, severe anxiety and stress. It is therefore very worthwhile to seek help and treatment.
There are four types of urinary incontinence, categorised as follows:-
- Stress urinary incontinence - coughing, sneezing, laughing, exercising or even just standing up can cause sudden and unintentional leakage or urine.
- Urge incontinence - strong and intense urges to urinate followed by loss of urine, which may cause several trips to the bathroom during the night.
- Mixed incontinence - combined symptoms of stress and urge incontinence.
- Overflow incontinence - the bladder does not empty completely.
Urine infections can sometimes cause temporary incontinence and can be easily treated.
Doing daily pelvic floor exercises can sometimes help stress incontinence.
Prior to any surgery a study of the bladder - Urodynamic Studies - is recommended.
If surgery is required you may be advised to have a TVT Sling procedure.
Urinary Incontinence can be cured!
Urodynamic studies
Urodynamic studies is a sophisticated study of bladder function. Anaesthetic jelly is placed in the urethra (bladder outlet tube) so that two very small catheters can be passed painlessly into the bladder. A very small catheter is also passed into the back passage. The study involves filling the bladder with Saline to measure the pressures developed in the bladder. Once the bladder is full, one small catheter is then removed from the bladder outlet tube and you'll be asked to pass urine into a "flow meter" and the pressure generated by the bladder as well as the speed of the urinary flow will be monitored.
The rectal catheter is connected to the computer, which will subtract the pressure generated within the abdomen so that the pressure recorded in the bladder represents the pressure produced by the bladder muscle itself.
Urodynamic studies are performed in an outpatient setting and take approximately 1-1½ hours. After the test, passing urine might be a little uncomfortable for the first few times but this will rapidly subside and infection is very uncommon after this procedure.
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