Urethral Suspension—Retropubic Suspensions

by Patricia Kellicker, BSN

Definition

Stress incontinence is one of the many causes of uncontrolled leaking of urine. Urethral suspension is a surgery to correct incontinence in women.

The incontinence is most often caused by weakening of the pelvic muscles that normally keep the bladder in position. The muscles may be weakened by:

Female Bladder and Urethra

Bladder and uretha female
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Reasons for Procedure

The goal of this surgery is to provide extra support to the urethra, which gives more resistance against leakage. This will stop the uncontrolled leaking of urine.

Possible Complications    TOP

Complications are rare, but no procedure is completely free of risk. If you are planning to have a urethral suspension, your doctor will review a list of possible complications, which may include:

  • Bleeding
  • Infection
  • Reactions to anesthesia
  • Inability to urinate
  • Continued incontinence or recurrence of the problem
  • Damage to other nearby organs or blood vessels
  • Pain (such as, during sexual intercourse)

Factors that may increase the risk of complications include:

Talk to your doctor about any factors that may increase your risk.

What to Expect    TOP

Prior to Procedure

Your doctor will try to find out why you are leaking urine through some or all of the following:

  • Medical history—information about medicines, illnesses, number of pregnancies, and previous surgeries; pattern of leaking and how it is affecting your life
  • Urine sample—to look for the presence of infection or other problems
  • Physical exam—includes a rectal and vaginal exam
  • Additional testing may be ordered to evaluate bladder function and urine flow, such as:
    • Urodynamic testing (urine flow studies)—a temporary catheter is placed to study bladder function
    • Cystoscopy—a procedure done to view the inside of the bladder

Leading up to surgery:

  • 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, such as warfarin (Coumadin)
    • Clopidogrel (Plavix)
  • Arrange for a ride home from the hospital.
  • Do not eat or drink anything after midnight the night before.

Anesthesia

You may receive a spinal anesthetic to numb your lower body. General anesthesia may also be used, in which case you will be asleep.

Description of Procedure

An incision will be made in the lower abdomen. Sutures will be placed near the bladder and urethra. The threads of the sutures will then be secured to the pelvic bone or other structures in the pelvis. This supports the bladder by forming a cradle for it.

Immediately After Procedure

After surgery, you will be monitored in a recovery room. You will most likely have a catheter in place to drain your urine.

How Long Will It Take?

1-1.5 hours

How Much Will It Hurt?

Anesthesia will block pain during the surgery. After surgery, you may experience some pain or soreness. You will be given pain medicine to relieve discomfort.

Average Hospital Stay

2-3 days

Postoperative Care

At the Hospital

At first, your urine may look bloody. This will resolve over time. When you are able to empty your bladder completely, the catheter will be removed. You may be up and walking the same day or the day after surgery.

At Home

Avoid lifting and strenuous exercise for six weeks after surgery. This will allow healing to take place. Ask your doctor about when it is safe to shower, bathe, or soak in water.

To help ensure a smooth recovery, follow your doctor's instructions.

Call Your Doctor    TOP

After you leave the hospital, contact your doctor if any of the following occurs:

  • Signs of infection, including fever and chills
  • Redness, swelling, increasing pain, excessive bleeding, or any discharge from the incision site
  • Pain that you cannot control with the medicines you have been given
  • Cough, shortness of breath, or chest pain
  • Severe nausea or vomiting
  • Trouble urinating
  • Pain, burning, urgency, or frequency while urinating

In case of an emergency, call for medical help right away.

RESOURCES:

National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse
http://kidney.niddk.nih.gov/
Urology Care Foundation
http://www.urologyhealth.org/

CANADIAN RESOURCES:

Canadian Continence Foundation
http://www.canadiancontinence.ca/
Canadian Urological Association
http://www.cua.org/

References:

Stress incontinence. Mayo Clinic.com website. Available at: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/stress-incontinence/DS00828. Updated October 2010. Accessed December 8, 2010.
The surgical management of female stress urinary incontinence. The American Urological Association website. Available at: http://www.auanet.... . Published 1997. Accessed October 20, 2009.
Surgical management of urinary incontinence. American Urological Association website. Available at: http://www.urologyhealth.org/urology/index.cfm?article=33. Updated 2003. Accessed October 20, 2009.
Surgical mesh. US Food and Drug Administration website. Available at: http://www.augs.org/p/cm/ld/fid=163. Updated October 8, 2009. Accessed October 20, 2009.
Surgical treatment for female stress urinary incontinence. National Association for Continence website. Available at: http://www.nafc.o.... Updated July 2009. Accessed October 20, 2009.
Treatment and prevention. The American Urogynecologic Society website. Available at:
...(Click grey area to select URL)
. Accessed October 20, 2009.
Townsend MK, Danforth KN, et al. Physical activity and incident urinary incontinence in middle-aged women. J Urol. 2008;179:1012-1016; discussion 1016-1017.
Wein AJ. Campbell-Walsh Urology. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2007.
6/3/2011 DynaMed's Systematic Literature Surveillance https://dynamed.ebscohost.com/about/about-us: Mills E, Eyawo O, Lockhart I, Kelly S, Wu P, Ebbert JO. Smoking cessation reduces postoperative complications: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Am J Med. 2011;124(2):144-154.e8.
Last reviewed September 2012 by Adrienne Carmack, MD
Last Updated: 09/26/2012