Graciela Gutierrez713-798-4710

Last laugh: New treatment prevents stress incontinence

HOUSTON -- (April 16, 2007) -- Incontinence sufferers can now grin and bear it. A new treatment developed at Baylor College of Medicine appears effective in preventing urinary leakage during stress-inducing reactions like laughing or sneezing.

Dr. Rodney Appell, professor of urology at BCM, says a new, injectable implant provides long-lasting preventive care. The synthetic material, calcium coaptite, increases muscle mass in the urinary region and helps close the urethra completely.

"The material stays put, and usually only one injection is needed, which was not the case with past treatments," said Appell.

Stress incontinence can be triggered by laughing, coughing, sneezing and running, all of which apply pressure to the bladder.

Appell said the synthetic implant represents a marked improvement over the conventional injectible -- collagen, a naturally occurring substance that is easily broken down by the body's defenses. Some patients would require second and third injections within just a few months of the first treatment.

Incontinence results from damage to the nerves of the muscles surrounding the urethra, which cannot close tightly enough to prevent urine from leaking out. Read more about incontinence.

"Incontinence is inconvenient and bothersome," Appell said. "The more reliable a treatment is, the easier it is to get back to normal life."

Appell said using an injectable material is not suitable for every patient. The best candidate is someone with a healthy bladder but is suffering from damage to the nerves that control the urethra, either from child birth or from an accident. Surgery is required in extreme cases.

Visit the Department of Urology at Baylor Clinic.