Procedures

Urinary incontinence surgery for women

Procedures

Urinary incontinence surgery for women

Appointments1
Approximate time60 min

Why Sling Surgery?

If pelvic floor rehabilitation has failed or if the urinary stress incontinence is serious - and because there is still no medication for this type of incontinence, surgery is usually one of the most efficient means of permanently preventing leaks.

There are several types of surgical slings used to treat feminine incontinence; our urologists will propose the one best suited for your symptoms and anatomy.

 

La chirurgie peut être est réalisée en cabinet privé ou en en salle d’opération privée, elle est alors prévue dans le seul hôpital privé accrédité au Québec, soit au Centre Métropolitain de Chirurgie.

What are the necessary steps for urethropexy?

An evaluation appointment is required at one of our two offices. Cystoscopy and vaginal examination are performed to evaluate incontinence. Surgery is then discussed.

The surgery is performed in a private operating room, it is then planned in the Centre Métropolitain de Chirurgie, the only private hospital accredited in Quebec.

A blood work and a preoperative meeting with a nurse are also necessary. She will be able to answer any additional questions you may have about the surgery.

What is a Single Incision Urethropexy?

The procedure is carried out under local anesthesia and sometimes with sedation. This technique is mainly designed for slim and physically active young women.

The polypropylene strip is small (3 cm long and 1 cm wide). It is installed like a hammock around the urethra, and the extremities are directed upwards, between the pubic bone and the bladder. The sling is then gradually adjusted to correct the patient's spontaneous cough incontinence. The sedation usually wears off fairly quickly. Most patients can return home about 2 hours after the procedure.

The benefits of this technique:
  • Single Incision Urethropexy
  • There is no general or spinal anesthesia
  • There is no cutaneous incision, therefore no bandage
  • There is no passing of the tape beyond the obturating membrane; therefore there is no risk to the adductor muscles of the thighThere is little post-operative pain
  • You can resume normal activities more quickly (possibility of resuming most normal activities the very next day).
  • No intense physical or sexual activity for 4 weeks
  • Results are the same or very close to those obtained with TOT technique

What is the typical recovery time?

About 2 weeks, depending on several factors, such as other present medical conditions, weight, etc.

What are the possible risks and complications?

Performed since 1995, this technique has become the benchmark procedure for feminine stress incontinence. In most cases, there are not any postoperative complications. However, each surgery involves a number of risks and complications as described below:

The early and late risks and complications are generally minor:
  • Urethral trauma (0-1%)
  • Preoperative hemorrhage over 300 ml (3%)
  • Vascular incidents (very rare)
  • Pain in the pelvis or legs 24 to 48 hours post-operation
  • Urinary infection (4-22%)
  • Defective vaginal scarring or erosion
  • Local hematoma (1-2%)
  • Late pain (from granuloma on the tape or periosteal inflammation)
  • Urinary retention (1-27%)
  • Frequent urination, urgency (13-15%)
  • Post-operative dysuria, or weaker stream (30%)

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How to prepare for a urinary incontinence surgery

First appointment
As with any surgical procedure, a consultation is required.
5 days before the surgery
Anticoagulants should be stopped 5 days before the procedure.
The day of the surgery
You must be fasting the morning of the procedure and take a bath with antiseptic soap.
Antibiotic prophylaxis is also required on the morning of the procedure.

Post-operative recommendations for urinary incontinence surgery

Right after the surgery
The urinary catheter is removed at the end of surgery. A panty liner is then left in place.


The surgical procedure is painless.
The first days after the surgery
You may feel a burning sensation during urination or you may find that the flow of urine is very weak.


Vaginal discharge may occur for a few days.


The day after the surgery, you can resume normal activity but you should avoid any activity that includes excessive efforts and or lifting heavy loads (greater than 10 kg or 20 lbs.).


You must avoid baths and swimming for 1 week. A shower can be taken after 24 hours.
After 4 weeks
You can resume sexual intercourse and high intensity sports after 4 weeks. Once the wound has healed, your sexuality should not be affected.

Contact usTo learn more about available treatments

Would you like to make an appointment, or do you have any questions? Write to us and we will get back to you as soon as possible!

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