What is an overactive bladder?Overactive bladder is a condition characterised by a number of symptoms, including: Urgency: having to rush to the toilet to pass urine. Frequency: need to pass urine frequently by day. Nocturia: waking up to pass urine. Urge incontinence: leakage of urine on the way to the toilet, if one is not quick enough. The condition can …
Read moreLaparoscopic sacrohysteropexy
21st October 2016What is laparoscopic sacrohysteropexy?This is an operation carried out to correct uterine prolapse, in patients who do not wish to have hysterectomy. It can be carried out using key hole approach under general anaesthesia. Associated prolapse of the vagina is dealt with at the same time. Why do I need laparoscopic sacrohysteropexy?The operation is intended to support the uterus and …
Read moreLaparoscopic sacrocolpopexy
21st October 2016What is laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy?This is an operation carried out using key hole surgery under general anaesthesia to correct prolapse of the vaginal vault. This condition refers to the slipping down of the top of the front passage in patients who had a hysterectomy, or removal of the womb. Usually, there is associated prolapse of the front and back walls of …
Read moreIntermittent self catheterisation
21st October 2016What is intermittent self catheterisation?Intermittent self catheterisation (also called clean intermittent self catheterisation) is the practice of passing a catheter (small tube) through one’s urethra (the pipe from which the urine flows from the body) to help complete emptying the bladder. Why do I need intermittent self catheterisation?Intermittent self catheterisation is needed in patients who have difficulty emptying their bladder. …
Read moreInjection of urethral bulking agents
21st October 2016What are urethral bulking agents?Urethral bulking agents are substances that are injected to support the bladder neck. The operation is often carried out under local anaesthesia but can be done under general or regional, such as spinal anaesthesia. Why do I need a urethral bulking agent injection?Injections increase the bulk of the bladder neck. This will resists any increase in …
Read moreBurch colposuspension
21st October 2016What is Burch colposuspension?The operation is intended to support the bladder neck, which is the area between the bladder and urethra (pipe that takes urine out). The aim is to avoid leakage of urine on coughing and sneezing. This is achieved by securing the area around the bladder neck to the back of a ligament (band of fibrous tissue) behind …
Read moreBotulinum toxin A: bladder wall injection
21st October 2016What is botulinum toxin ‘A’?Botulinum toxin is a chemical that relaxes muscles. It is commonly used for wrinkles on the face. In the bladder, it relaxes the bladder muscle, so as to reduce the urge to go to the toilet. There are two types, ‘A’ and ‘B’. Type ‘A’ is used in clinical practice, as it has a longer duration …
Read moreBladder training (drill)
21st October 2016What is bladder training? Bladder training, also known as bladder drill, is a programme to re-train the bladder to become less overactive. An overactive bladder does not tolerate small amounts of urine. As a result, patients go to the toilet frequently, may rush and even leak on their way, to pass small volumes of urine. Bladder training is about restoring …
Read moreAutologous sling
21st October 2016What is an autologous sling?An autologous sling is an operation where a ribbon of fascia (fibrous tissue strip) is taken from one of the abdominal wall layers and placed underneath the urethra. This strip is passed on either side to be fixed back to the abdominal wall. This acts like a hammock to support the urethra. It can be performed …
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