Urethral Bulking for Urinary Incontinence

Blog Snapshot:

• These periurethral injections are used to close a hole in the urethra or build up the wall of the urethra to prevent urine from leaking out.
• The urologists at Affiliated Urologists discuss what patients can expect during a urethral bulking injection.

Patients suffering from urinary stress incontinence (USI) may benefit from urinary bulking, a minimally invasive procedure that uses synthetic materials or autologous substances to augment the urethral wall and prevent urine leakage. Although this surgery is generally performed on women, men may also benefit from the procedure for their urinary incontinence. Individuals with mild stress incontinence, or mixed stress and urgency incontinence, are usually considered candidates for urethral bulking.

What to Expect During Urethral Bulking

Depending on the patient and his or her specific USI case, the procedure may be performed using a local anesthetic or under general anesthesia. Most women receive their periurethral injection in conjunction with local anesthesia, while men could require general or regional anesthesia.

Using a cystoscope, the bulking material is then injected through the skin, urethra, or vagina, around the urethra just below the neck of the bladder. Fortunately, there are no incisions required for this procedure. If the injection was administered with a local anesthetic, we may ask the patient to stand to determine whether or not continence has been restored. If not, additional injections may be performed.

Most injections are done at the practice, but if general anesthesia was involved, patients may receive these injections at a local hospital or surgery center. Nevertheless, patients typically return home that same day to recover. According to the International Urogynecological Association (IUGA), urethral bulking has a success rate of 60-70%. Patients may need additional injections, however, because the effects of the procedure tend to reduce over time.

If you’d like to learn more about urethral bulking for urinary incontinence, call our office today! At Affiliated Urologists, patient satisfaction is our highest priority, which is why we perform groundbreaking urological procedures. Learn more about how we can help manage or treat your urological condition today!

Affiliated Urologists is an award-winning practice recognized both locally and nationally that has provided service to patients in Phoenix, Scottsdale, and surrounding communities in the Valley, for over 40 years. The physicians emphasize top-of-the-line comprehensive urological care and strive to deliver the highest outcomes for patient satisfaction. To make an appointment, call 602-264-0608 or visit http://affiliatedurologists.com/contact/ for instructions on scheduling an appointment.

The advice and information contained in this article is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace or counter a physician’s advice or judgment. Please always consult your physician before taking any advice learned here or in any other educational medical material.