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Possible Complications
If you are planning to have a coaptite injection, your doctor will review a list of possible complications which may include:
- Trouble passing urine due to urethra swelling
- Blood in urine
- Painful urination
- Urinary tract infection
- Feeling the urge to urinate
- Frequent urination
- Continued incontinence
- Bleeding
- Damage to the urethra
- Reaction to anesthesia
You should avoid this procedure if you have a history of:
- Urinary tract infections
- Current irritation of your bladder or urethra
- The wall of your urethra being easily damaged
Be sure to discuss these risks with your doctor before the injection.
Call Your Doctor
After arriving home, contact your doctor if any of the following occurs:
- Increasing pressure or pain
- Not able to urinate
- Changes in frequency, odor, appearance, or volume of urine
- Signs of infection, including fever or chills
- Blood in urine
- Painful urination or a burning sensation
- Leaking urine
In case of an emergency, CALL 911.
This procedure is for women who have stress urinary incontinence . This type of incontinence is caused by weakening of the muscles that suspend the bladder or the muscles that control urine flow.
Muscles Involved in Incontinence in Women |
Prior to Procedure
Your doctor may do the following:
- Physical exam, blood and urine tests, and imaging tests
- Discuss with you the type of anesthesia that will be used and the potential risks
Talk to your doctor about your medicines. You may be asked to stop taking some medicines up to one week before the procedure, like:
- Aspirin or other anti-inflammatory drugs
- Blood thinners, like warfarin (Coumadin)
- Clopidogrel (Plavix)
Other things to keep in mind before the procedure:
- Arrange for a ride home from the hospital.
- If instructed by your doctor, do not eat or drink for eight hours before the procedure.
Anesthesia
This procedure can be done under local, spinal , or general anesthesia. It will block any pain. Sedation may also be used to ease anxiety.
Description of Procedure
A nurse will place an IV (needle) in your arm to deliver fluids and medicines. For local anesthesia, the nurse may also place a special jelly or fluid into your urethra. This will numb the area. If you are having spinal anesthesia, it will be injected into the spine. General anesthesia will be given through an IV.
The doctor will insert a cystoscope (a tiny, fiberoptic tube with a light on the end) into your urethra. This is done to look at the bladder. The doctor will insert the needle and syringe with the coaptite substance into the scope. She will inject the substance into the urethra wall near the tip of the bladder. A steady, light pressure will be used.
A second needle and syringe will be prepared and inserted into your urethra. The doctor will again inject the substance directly across from the first injection. This will bulge the lining of the wall directly under the bladder. The doctor may repeat the injection depending on the results.
Immediately After Procedure
Depending on the type of anesthesia used, you may be able to move around after the procedure.
How Long Will It Take?
This is usually done in an outpatient setting. You will not need to stay overnight. The procedure usually takes 15-30 minutes.
How Much Will It Hurt?
Anesthesia prevents pain during the procedure. Ask your doctor about medicine to help with pain after the injection.
Post-procedure Care
At the Care Center
After the procedure, the hospital staff may provide the following care:
- Monitor you while you recover from the anesthesia and/or sedation
- Help you to eat and move around again
- Give you pain medicine
At Home
When you return home, do the following to help ensure a smooth recovery:
- Take medicines as directed to reduce pain and the chance of infection.
- Avoid hard activity and heavy lifting.
- Drink plenty of fluids (eg, 8-10 glasses per day).
- Do not drive or have sex until your doctor says it is safe to do so.
- Be sure to follow your doctor’s instructions.
This procedure is for women who have stress urinary incontinence. This type of incontinence is caused by weakening of the muscles that suspend the bladder or the muscles that control urine flow.
Prior to Procedure
Your doctor may do the following:
- Physical exam, blood and urine tests, and imaging tests
- Discuss with you the type of anesthesia that will be used and the potential risks
Talk to your doctor about your medicines. You may be asked to stop taking some medicines up to one week before the procedure, like:
- Aspirin or other anti-inflammatory drugs
- Blood thinners, like warfarin (Coumadin)
- Clopidogrel (Plavix)
Other things to keep in mind before the procedure:
- Arrange for a ride home from the hospital.
- If instructed by your doctor, do not eat or drink for eight hours before the procedure.
Anesthesia
This procedure can be done under local, spinal , or general anesthesia. It will block any pain. Sedation may also be used to ease anxiety.
Description of Procedure
A nurse will place an IV (needle) in your arm to deliver fluids and medicines. For local anesthesia, the nurse may also place a special jelly or fluid into your urethra. This will numb the area. If you are having spinal anesthesia, it will be injected into the spine. General anesthesia will be given through an IV.
The doctor will insert a cystoscope (a tiny, fiberoptic tube with a light on the end) into your urethra. This is done to look at the bladder. The doctor will insert the needle and syringe with the coaptite substance into the scope. She will inject the substance into the urethra wall near the tip of the bladder. A steady, light pressure will be used.
A second needle and syringe will be prepared and inserted into your urethra. The doctor will again inject the substance directly across from the first injection. This will bulge the lining of the wall directly under the bladder. The doctor may repeat the injection depending on the results.
Immediately After Procedure
Depending on the type of anesthesia used, you may be able to move around after the procedure.
How Long Will It Take?
This is usually done in an outpatient setting. You will not need to stay overnight. The procedure usually takes 15-30 minutes.
How Much Will It Hurt?
Anesthesia prevents pain during the procedure. Ask your doctor about medicine to help with pain after the injection.
Post-procedure Care
At the Care Center
After the procedure, the hospital staff may provide the following care:
- Monitor you while you recover from the anesthesia and/or sedation
- Help you to eat and move around again
- Give you pain medicine
At Home
When you return home, do the following to help ensure a smooth recovery:
- Take medicines as directed to reduce pain and the chance of infection.
- Avoid hard activity and heavy lifting.
- Drink plenty of fluids (eg, 8-10 glasses per day).
- Do not drive or have sex until your doctor says it is safe to do so.
- Be sure to follow your doctor’s instructions.
RESOURCES:
American Urological Association
http://www.auanet.org/
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
http://www2.niddk.nih.gov/
CANADIAN RESOURCES:
Canadian Urological Association
http://www.cua.org/
Health Canada
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/index-eng.php
References:
Boston Scientific. Coaptite injection. Boston Scientific website. Available at: http://www.bostonscientific.com/templatedata/imports/collateral/Gynecology/broccoaptite02usall_ug.pdf . Accessed August 12, 2010.
Dewitt C. Treating urinary incontinence. EBSCO Patient Education Reference Center website. Available at: http://www.ebscohost.com/thisTopic.php?marketID=15&topicID=81 . Updated January 11, 2010. Accessed August 12, 2010.
United States Food and Drug Administration. Coaptite. United States Food and Drug Administration website. Available at: http://www.fda.gov/MedicalDevices/ProductsandMedicalProcedures/DeviceApprovalsandClearances/Recently-ApprovedDevices/ucm078444.htm. Updated July 8 , 2009. Accessed August 12, 2010.
Coaptite is a gel-like substance that is injected into a woman’s urethra near the bladder. The urethra is the tube through which urine passes out of the body from the bladder. Coaptite is a 'bulking agent' that enlarges the wall of the urethra thus (hopefully) preventing uncontrolled dripping of urine.
Prior to Procedure
Your doctor may do the following:
- Physical exam, blood and urine tests, and imaging tests
- Discuss with you the type of anesthesia that will be used and the potential risks
Talk to your doctor about your medicines. You may be asked to stop taking some medicines up to one week before the procedure, like:
- Aspirin or other anti-inflammatory drugs
- Blood thinners, like warfarin (Coumadin)
- Clopidogrel (Plavix)
Other things to keep in mind before the procedure:
- Arrange for a ride home from the hospital.
- If instructed by your doctor, do not eat or drink for eight hours before the procedure.
Anesthesia
This procedure can be done under local, spinal , or general anesthesia. It will block any pain. Sedation may also be used to ease anxiety.
Description of Procedure
A nurse will place an IV (needle) in your arm to deliver fluids and medicines. For local anesthesia, the nurse may also place a special jelly or fluid into your urethra. This will numb the area. If you are having spinal anesthesia, it will be injected into the spine. General anesthesia will be given through an IV.
The doctor will insert a cystoscope (a tiny, fiberoptic tube with a light on the end) into your urethra. This is done to look at the bladder. The doctor will insert the needle and syringe with the coaptite substance into the scope. She will inject the substance into the urethra wall near the tip of the bladder. A steady, light pressure will be used.
A second needle and syringe will be prepared and inserted into your urethra. The doctor will again inject the substance directly across from the first injection. This will bulge the lining of the wall directly under the bladder. The doctor may repeat the injection depending on the results.
Immediately After Procedure
Depending on the type of anesthesia used, you may be able to move around after the procedure.
How Long Will It Take?
This is usually done in an outpatient setting. You will not need to stay overnight. The procedure usually takes 15-30 minutes.
How Much Will It Hurt?
Anesthesia prevents pain during the procedure. Ask your doctor about medicine to help with pain after the injection.
Post-procedure Care
At the Care Center
After the procedure, the hospital staff may provide the following care:
- Monitor you while you recover from the anesthesia and/or sedation
- Help you to eat and move around again
- Give you pain medicine
At Home
When you return home, do the following to help ensure a smooth recovery:
- Take medicines as directed to reduce pain and the chance of infection.
- Avoid hard activity and heavy lifting.
- Drink plenty of fluids (eg, 8-10 glasses per day).
- Do not drive or have sex until your doctor says it is safe to do so.
- Be sure to follow your doctor’s instructions.
