How can periurethral injections improve bladder control?
The injection of “bulking” material into the tissues around the urethra sometimes results in a closing of the sphincter (bladder outlet muscle) and, therefore, protects against incontinence by increasing the resistance to the outflow of urine. Contigen® Bard® Collagen Implant has been used routinely for these cases since 1993 as a safe and effective treatment for sphincter malfunction. Collagen is a natural protein found in the body. Contigen Implant is a sterile, purified collagen taken from the skin of cows. It is chemically treated to prevent any allergic reaction, but a skin test is still performed to be extra safe. There are other materials used as bulking agents, and even more are being tested in clinical trials. A doctor will perform urodynamic pressure tests on the bladder and sphincter to make certain that the incontinent patient is a good candidate for this treatment. The best results occur when the patient’s incontinence is a result of poor urethral function combined with go
