At a glance
- Anaesthesia
- General, or sedation with local
- Duration
- About 45 minutes
- Hospital stay
- 6–12 hours
- Recovery
- Sex after 1 month
Older people with incontinence also often never see their doctor, convinced that the problem is incurable and that nothing can be done to help them. The type of incontinence we are usually asked to treat is stress urinary incontinence.
Stress urinary incontinence
It accounts for 60% of cases and is leakage of urine on exertion, due to weakness of the sphincter mechanism.
Causes of urinary incontinence
- Pregnancy and difficult childbirth
- Age: incontinence due to the natural loosening of the muscles over the years
- Menopause: incontinence due to lack of oestrogen
- Obesity: incontinence due to the pressure of excess weight on the muscles
How is urinary incontinence treated?
Urinary incontinence is treated with so-called slings or tapes. The method has been refined recently and is highly effective. The tapes are placed around the urethra, support it and close it.
Placement of an incontinence sling
- The patient is placed in the gynaecological position
- An incision of 2 cm is made below the external urethral opening, on the upper front wall of the vagina
- The vaginal mucosa and the floor of the urethra are prepared
- Small incisions are made at the level of the obturator foramen, on the inner thigh, through which special needles are passed and carefully guided through the obturator foramen to our incision in the vaginal wall. We attach the two ends of the tape to the tips of the needles and draw them out to the right and left, to the inner thigh (groin crease), through the channels created by the needles.
- We release the ends of the sling and close the incisions
What kind of anaesthesia is needed?
Placement of an incontinence sling is done under general anaesthesia, or sedation combined with local anaesthesia.
How long does the procedure take?
Placement of an incontinence sling takes about 45 minutes.
Result
The incontinence sling reinforces the floor of the urethra, at the roof of the vagina. As a result the urethra stays closed when sneezing, and urine is held in the bladder, putting an end to the incontinence. It is a procedure that is:
- Minimally invasive
- Practically painless
- With excellent results
After placement of an incontinence sling
After placement of an incontinence sling:
- Antibiotics are prescribed
- A bladder catheter is placed for a short time
- The patient can be up and about within a few hours
- The patient needs to stay in hospital for 6 to 12 hours after the procedure
- The doctor will ask you to avoid sexual intercourse, lifting and strenuous exercise for about 1 month
Frequently asked questions
Are there complications?
Complications are minimal, as the success rate of the surgery approaches 90%. Possible complications include a small haematoma, over-correction or temporary difficulty passing urine.
How much pain is there?
As our patients tell us, the pain is negligible.
When can I have sex after an incontinence sling?
After 1 month. See the video on placement of an incontinence sling (in Greek).
This information is for general guidance only. The right treatment is decided only after a clinical examination. The cost depends on the type of procedure and the patient's clinical picture. For this reason, please contact the doctor personally.