Make Urinary Incontinence a Thing of the Past
If you’ve ever stifled a sneeze or tried not to laugh out of fear of urinary leakage, you’re not alone. Accidental urine leakage is common. Tens of millions of men and women suffer with urinary incontinence, according to the American Urological Association.
Dealing with leakage can affect everyday life, making it harder to exercise, be active or even spend an evening out. Despite the fact that it’s quite common, not many people talk about this health issue out of embarrassment.
New Procedure for Urinary Incontinence
There is good news that should be talked about. A new technique can help you better control urinary leakage and give up those bulky pads. This therapeutic procedure is already FDA approved for men and has been performed on more than 10,000 patients. It’s now being investigated for women through an FDA trial at CHI Health Urology. For both women and men, this technique is especially effective when they’ve had failed previous interventions.
How This Procedure Works
The procedure involves implanting two adjustable silicone balloons on either side of the bladder neck to restrict the flow of urine. The balloons compress the urine outflow tract to prevent incontinence. The innovative outpatient procedure takes approximately 30 minutes, and an overnight stay is not required.
What makes this procedure unique is the ability to adjust the device after implantation. During adjustment visits, the implanted balloons are tailored to each person’s individual needs. A small needle is inserted into the port to add or remove fluids from a titanium filling port – making it tighter around the bladder neck as needed. Optimal results are generally achieved in three to four adjustment visits.
Who Is a Candidate for this Procedure?
The device does not need to be manipulated by patients at any time and offers long-lasting results. If needed, it can also be easily removed in just 5 to 10 minutes in a physician’s office. This procedure is typically offered when conservative treatments fail to provide adequate control. Patients who are candidates for this approach include:
- Men who have had a radical prostatectomy or transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP)
- Men whose urinary incontinence persists 12 months or more after prostate surgery
- Women who have stress incontinence
To find out if this technique is right for you, talk to your provider or contact our office at (402) 717-2500.
At CHI Health Urology, a dedicated team is available to help you navigate the entire process and achieve the best possible results.
Michael Feloney, M.D. was an Assistant Professor at the University of Nebraska Medical Center and a Staff Physician at UNMC Physicians. Dr. Feloney is Board Certified in Urology, Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery and Laparoscopic Surgery.
