Urinary incontinence is not the fate of aging! 60-year-old woman regains laughter with 20-minute minimally invasive surgery

Urologist Cai Zhengyan explained that minimally invasive urethral filler injection treatment is to accurately inject biocompatible hydrogel filling materials into specific locations on the urethral wall through an endoscope, thereby increasing the closing force of the urethra lumen. (Photo by reporter Liao Xueru)

[Reporter Liao Xueru/Report from Hsinchu] "Urine leakage is definitely not a fate that can only be endured silently as we age!" A 67-year-old woman with a cheerful personality has been suffering from "stress urinary incontinence" for a long time. She gradually dared not laugh in public, and even Reducing social contact outside the home made her relatives and friends mistakenly believe that she was suffering from depression. Fortunately, after seeking help from a urologist, she was able to get rid of the haze of urinary incontinence and regain her confident and bright smile through minimally invasive urethral filler injection treatment that only took 20 minutes at her own expense.

Cai Zhengyan, a urologist at China Medical University Hsinchu Hospital, pointed out that "stress urinary incontinence" is a very common urinary system problem among women. Under normal circumstances, the human body's urethra closing function and pelvic floor tissue can provide sufficient support to lock urine; however, as age increases, childbirth occurs, or the pelvic floor tissue gradually relaxes, when the patient coughs, sneezes, laughs, runs, exercises, or lifts heavy objects, resulting in a sudden increase in abdominal pressure, the urethra cannot effectively close, causing involuntary urine leakage.

Many women often think that "urinary leakage is normal as you get older", or they are too shy to speak up and rely on panty liners to hide it for a long time. Cai Zhengyan emphasized that when urinary leakage begins to limit a patient's daily life, willingness to exercise, and even social activities, it not only impacts physical health, but also seriously erodes personal self-confidence and quality of life.

Regarding the treatment method, Cai Zhengyan explained that sling surgery is traditionally used to support the urethra, but this patient received "Bulkamid urethral filler injection treatment." This is a minimally invasive and less invasive treatment option. The doctor uses an endoscope to precisely inject biocompatible hydrogel filling material into specific locations on the urethral wall, thereby increasing the closing force of the urethral lumen.

Pre- and post-operative comparison pictures of minimally invasive urethral filler injection treatment. (Provided by the Affiliated Hospital of Hsinchu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine)

When the patient's abdominal pressure rises again due to laughter or coughing, the tightly closed urethra can effectively prevent urine leakage. Compared with traditional sling surgery, this injection treatment does not require the placement of an artificial omentum, and there is no large-scale tissue incision or stripping. Not only does the operation time only take about 20 minutes, but it also has the advantages of minimal incision, low risk of postoperative bleeding, and mild pain. The patient can be discharged from the hospital the next day after the operation and quickly return to daily life.

However, Cai Zhengyan reminded that not all types of urinary incontinence are suitable for filler treatment. Doctors will conduct a comprehensive assessment based on the patient's urine leakage pattern, severity and urethral function. In some cases, additional injections may be required after surgery to achieve the best improvement effect.