Urinary Incontinence Surgeries

What Is Urinary Incontinence?

Urinary incontinence is the condition in which the bladder cannot hold urine properly and urine leaks involuntarily. This condition, which may require urinary incontinence surgery in women, is a common health problem especially among women and can significantly affect quality of life. Urinary incontinence can occur in different types; the most common are stress urinary incontinence, urge urinary incontinence, and mixed urinary incontinence.

• Stress Urinary Incontinence: Urine leakage occurs during situations that increase intra-abdominal pressure such as coughing, sneezing, laughing, or lifting heavy objects. This condition is usually caused by weakness of the pelvic floor muscles and can be treated with urinary incontinence surgery.
• Urge Urinary Incontinence: Occurs with a sudden, strong urge to urinate and is usually associated with uncontrolled contractions of the bladder muscles.
• Mixed Urinary Incontinence: A condition in which symptoms of both stress and urge urinary incontinence are present together.

What Causes Urinary Incontinence?

To answer the question of what causes urinary incontinence; the causes are quite varied and include the following:

• Pregnancy and Childbirth: One of the most common reasons for the need for urinary incontinence surgery in women is childbirth. During vaginal delivery, pelvic floor muscles may be damaged, leading to urinary incontinence.
• Aging: As age increases, weakening of the bladder muscles is among the causes of urinary incontinence and may require treatment.
• Hormonal Changes: A decrease in estrogen levels during menopause is among the causes of urinary incontinence and may lead to the need for surgery.
• Weakening of Pelvic Floor Muscles: This is one of the main causes of urinary incontinence and requires treatment.
• Obesity: Excess weight can place increased pressure on the pelvic area, leading to urinary incontinence.
• Chronic Cough: Long-term coughing is among the causes of urinary incontinence and may require surgical treatment in women.

What Are the Types of Urinary Incontinence Surgery?

The types of urinary incontinence surgery are determined according to the patient’s condition and the type of incontinence. If urinary incontinence cannot be controlled with non-surgical methods (such as pelvic floor exercises or medication), surgery may be required. The main types of urinary incontinence surgeries performed at our Antalya center include:

Sling Surgeries

These are the most common types of urinary incontinence surgery and are the most frequently performed procedures in women. In these surgeries, a sling is placed to support the urethra.

• Tension-Free Vaginal Tape (TVT): A synthetic tape placed under the urethra; a minimally invasive surgical technique.
• Transobturator Tape (TOT): Similar to TVT, but with a different direction of tape placement.
• Mini-Sling: A minimally invasive technique using a small sling tape.

Colposuspension (Burch Procedure)

This surgical method is used particularly for the treatment of stress urinary incontinence. It is performed by suspending the tissues around the urethra and bladder neck to the pelvic bones with surgical sutures.

Artificial Urinary Sphincter (AUS)

Artificial urinary sphincter surgery involves a manually controlled device placed around the urethra. This treatment is designed for patients who have difficulty controlling urine leakage.

Injection Therapies

Injection of various bulking agents around the urethra is a minimally invasive treatment option. It improves urethral closure as a treatment for urinary incontinence.

How Is Urinary Incontinence Surgery Performed?

To explain how urinary incontinence surgery is performed in detail; at our Antalya center, surgery is carried out through the following steps:

Preoperative Preparation

The patient is evaluated before surgery. Suitability for surgery is determined, and the surgical method is selected according to the type of incontinence.

Anesthesia

Urinary incontinence surgery is usually performed under general anesthesia. Local anesthesia may be preferred for minimally invasive procedures.

Surgical Procedure

Depending on the selected technique:

• A synthetic tape is placed in sling surgeries
• Support is provided with sutures in colposuspension procedures
• Bulking agents are applied in injection treatments

Postoperative Period

After surgery, the patient is monitored and a postoperative care plan is implemented.

How Long Does Urinary Incontinence Surgery Take?

The duration of urinary incontinence surgery varies depending on the technique used and the patient’s condition:

• Minimally Invasive Techniques: TVT and TOT surgeries usually take 30–45 minutes.
• Sling Surgeries: Standard sling procedures are completed within 45–60 minutes.
• Colposuspension: This procedure may take 1–2 hours.
• Injection Therapies: The shortest treatment option, lasting 15–30 minutes.

At our Antalya center, the exact duration is explained to the patient during the preoperative examination.

Urinary Incontinence Surgeries: Indications and Objectives

Urinary incontinence surgeries provide an effective treatment option, especially for stress urinary incontinence. The main objective of these surgeries is to increase continence by supporting the bladder neck and urethra. The type of surgery is determined based on factors such as the patient’s age, general health, type, and severity of incontinence. Indications for surgery in women include:

• Failure of conservative treatment methods
• Urinary incontinence significantly affecting quality of life
• Stress urinary incontinence
• Mixed urinary incontinence

Recovery Process and Complications After Urinary Incontinence Surgery

Recovery varies depending on the type of surgery and the patient’s overall health. Postoperative follow-up at our Antalya center includes:

Recovery Process

Most patients can return to normal activities within a few days. Avoiding heavy physical activity and exercise helps speed recovery.

Complications

Possible complications include infection, bleeding, difficulty urinating, development of overactive bladder, and new types of incontinence after surgery.

Postoperative Care and Follow-Up

Regular follow-up visits are essential to assess surgical success and detect complications early. Pelvic floor exercises and lifestyle modifications increase long-term success.

Urinary Incontinence Surgery Costs

Urinary incontinence surgery costs may vary depending on the surgical technique used, the patient’s general condition, and whether additional procedures are required. In Antalya, factors such as the type of surgery, length of hospital stay, anesthesia method, and whether other gynecological procedures are performed during the same session affect pricing. Urinary incontinence surgeries offer effective treatment options, especially for stress urinary incontinence. The most appropriate surgical method is selected based on the patient’s condition, type, and severity of incontinence. Each method has different advantages and potential risks; therefore, treatment options should be carefully evaluated between the patient and the physician to determine the most suitable solution.