Collagen Implants

To Treat Incontinence

Treating Incontinence

Incontinence can be an embarrassing and inconvenient problem.  Collagen implants are one method to help treat incontinence due to a weak sphincter.  Collagen is a protein naturally found in the body of animals and humans.  Implanting (injecting) animal collagen into your urethra may help close the sphincter and restore most or all of your control over urine flow. 

Are Collagen Implants for You?

You and your doctor can discuss your medical history and whether collagen implants are right for you.  To be sure that a weak sphincter is the cause of your incontinence, your doctor will do certain tests.  You'll also be given a skin test to check for any allergies to the implants.  During this test, a small amount of collagen is injected under the skin of your arm.  The area is then monitored over four weeks for signs of an allergic reaction.  If you react, implants aren't for you.

What to Expect from Your Treatment

Your doctor can talk to you about collagen implants and answer your questions.  You should know that:

• Collagen implants don't work for everyone.  Some people have no improvement in their incontinence after treatment.
• Several separate implant treatments, spaced from a week to three months apart, may be needed.
• Collagen implants may not be a permanent cure.  Some people may need retreatment in a few years.
• The implants may cause a significant improvement, but they may not cure incontinence completely.

How It's Done

Collagen implants are usually done in the hospital on an outpatient basis.  Your doctor or a nurse can instruct you on how to prepare for the implant procedure and explain what to expect afterward.

Your Experience

To keep you from feeling pain during the procedure, your urethra and bladder area may be numbed (local anesthesia), your body below the waist may be numbed (regional anesthesia), or you may be completely asleep (general anesthesia).  The doctor inserts a cystoscope (a thin, tubelike telescope) into your urethra.  This instrument lets the doctor see the inside of your urethra.  A needle is inserted (either through the cystoscope or along the outside of your urethra) to the sphincter area.  The doctor injects collagen through this needle into the wall of the urethra.  The injections make the tissue close up, which stops urine from leaking out of the bladder. 

Collagen is injected around the urethra near the sphincter.  The collagen "bulks" the urethral tissue, creating a seal that stops urine from leaking.  When you try to urinate, the tissue separates naturally to allow urine to flow.

After Your Collagen Implant Procedure

A catheter may be placed in your bladder to help drain your urine temporarily.  You should be able to urinate without a problem when you leave the hospital.  If you have difficulty urinating, your doctor may have you perform self catheterization for a few days.  Within one to four weeks after the procedure, you'll return to your doctor to be checked.  Your doctor can then assess your need for additional treatments. 

Possible Complications

Complications from collagen implants are rare.  They include the following:

• Temporary or permanent worsening of incontinence
• Infection of the bladder or urethra
• Pain or discomfort at the injection site
• Inability to urinate (urinary retention)
• Allergic reaction to collagen

When to Call Your Doctor

Call your doctor if you experience any of the following symptoms after your implant procedure:

• Bleeding
• Problems urinating
• Signs of infection (fever over 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit, chills, frequent urination, urgent urination)

Your Urinary Tract

The urinary tract includes the bladder (which holds urine) and the urethra (the canal that carries urine from the bladder out of the body).  The sphincter is a muscle that surrounds the urethra.  It closes to hold urine in the bladder and opens to let urine flow into the urethra and out of the body.

A Problem Sphincter

If your sphincter is weak, you may have incontinence (uncontrollable loss of urine).  A weak sphincter doesn't close tightly enough, and urine may leak out when you cough, sneeze, or do anything else that puts sudden pressure on the bladder.

In Control Again

To get the best results from your collagen implants, follow your doctor's instructions and keep your follow-up appointments.  Collagen implants may help reduce your incontinence so you can be in control again and get back to doing the things you enjoy.