Incontinence Surgery
Surgery may be used to treat some types of urinary incontinence.
Stress incontinence is the most common type of incontinence that
is treated with surgery. Surgical treatment is done to lift and
support the connection between the bladder and the tube through
which urine leaves the body (urethra). When the urethra and bladder
are returned to their proper location in the abdomen, sneezing,
coughing, or laughing is less likely to squeeze urine out of the
bladder.
Surgery may also be needed to correct problems that result in
overflow incontinence, such as obstructions or abnormal growths
in the urinary tract. However, surgery for this type of incontinence
is not commonly used in women.
Surgery for the treatment of motor or sensory urge incontinence
is used only as a last resort when other methods of treatment
have failed.
The decision to use surgery must always be based on an accurate
diagnosis, other treatment possibilities, and realistic expectations
for the surgery.
Surgery Choices:
Retropubic suspension
Needle endoscopic suspension
Urethral sling
Urethral bulking
What to Think About
Factors that increase the chance that surgical treatment will
fail to correct incontinence include obesity, low estrogen levels
(menopause in women), long-term (chronic) cough, radiation therapy,
age, poor nutrition, and strenuous physical activity.
Most surgical failures are due to incorrect diagnosis. Other
reasons for failure include surgery that is not done well, healing
problems, obesity, and additional causes of incontinence that
could not be noticed before correcting the primary cause.
Preventive Medicine
Kegel
Muscles 