Urinary Incontinence Surgery in Izmir
Urine leakage while laughing, coughing, or exercising can seriously affect social life, self-confidence, and everyday comfort. Many women postpone treatment because they consider this condition a natural consequence of childbirth or ageing. However, urinary incontinence is a health problem that can be managed once its type has been correctly identified. When surgery is planned in İzmir by Obstetrician and Gynaecologist Prof. Dr. İsmail Mete İtil, the objective is not only to reduce leakage but also to preserve bladder function and quality of life.
What Are the Types of Urinary Incontinence in Women?
Urinary incontinence is not a single condition. For treatment to be successful, the type of incontinence must first be identified correctly.
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Stress Urinary Incontinence: Leakage of urine while coughing, sneezing, laughing, running, or lifting heavy objects.
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Urge Urinary Incontinence: The inability to reach the toilet in time after experiencing a sudden and intense urge to urinate.
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Mixed Urinary Incontinence: The presence of both stress and urge incontinence symptoms.
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Overflow Incontinence: Leakage in the form of dribbling because the bladder cannot empty adequately.
Sling procedures are primarily used to treat stress urinary incontinence. For urge incontinence, bladder training, medication, and other treatment options are generally considered first.
Who Is Suitable for Urinary Incontinence Surgery?
Surgical treatment may be considered for women who have stress urinary incontinence, whose symptoms affect their daily lives, and who have not obtained sufficient benefit from non-surgical methods. Before surgery, pelvic floor exercises, weight management, smoking cessation, treatment of constipation, and modification of habits that affect the bladder may be recommended. In addition to the severity of urinary incontinence, the patient’s expectations, age, general health, and future pregnancy plans may also influence the decision.
How Is Urinary Incontinence Diagnosed?
During the consultation, the patient is asked in detail when the leakage occurs and which movements trigger it. A pelvic examination, cough stress test, urine test, and measurement of the amount of urine remaining in the bladder may be performed.
The patient may also be asked to keep a bladder diary for several days. Fluid intake, urination times, sensations of urgency, and leakage episodes are recorded in this diary. Urodynamic testing may be required in certain patients when the diagnosis is unclear, when they have previously undergone surgery, or when they have difficulty emptying their bladder.
How Are TOT and TVT Urinary Incontinence Procedures Performed?
TOT and TVT are sling procedures designed to support the middle section of the urethra. A thin tape is inserted through a small incision made in the vagina. When pressure inside the abdomen increases, the tape supports the urethra and helps prevent involuntary urine leakage.
In the TOT procedure, the tape passes through the obturator region. In the TVT procedure, it is placed behind the pubic bone. The most appropriate approach is determined according to the patient’s anatomy, previous operations, and the characteristics of the incontinence.
Synthetic mid-urethral slings are permanent implants. Before deciding on surgery, alternative treatments, expected benefits, and risks specific to the material used should therefore be discussed with the patient in detail.
How Long Does Urinary Incontinence Surgery Take?
A TOT or TVT procedure is generally a relatively short operation lasting approximately 30–45 minutes. The duration may vary depending on the patient’s anatomy, the selected method, and whether another procedure will be performed at the same time.
The operation may be performed under general or spinal anaesthesia. After the procedure, the patient’s ability to empty the bladder adequately is assessed. Some patients may require a urinary catheter for a short period.
Which Methods Other Than Sling Surgery Are Used for Urinary Incontinence?
A synthetic sling does not have to be the preferred option for every patient. Alternative treatments include a pubovaginal sling prepared from the patient’s own tissue, Burch colposuspension, and injections of bulking agents around the urethra.
Bulking-agent injections may be less invasive, but their effects can diminish over time, and repeat treatment may therefore be necessary. Slings made from the patient’s own tissue and colposuspension may require a more extensive recovery period. Treatment selection should be personalised.
How Long Does Recovery Take After Urinary Incontinence Surgery?
The patient may be discharged on the same day or the following day. Mild vaginal bleeding, tenderness in the groin, and temporary difficulty urinating may occur during the first few days. Although it may be possible to return to desk-based work relatively quickly, complete recovery can take several weeks.
During recovery, heavy lifting, strenuous exercise, constipation, and straining should be avoided. The appropriate time to resume sexual intercourse and sports is determined during the follow-up examination. It is important not to miss the appointments recommended by the surgeon.
Cost of Urinary Incontinence Surgery
The cost of surgery varies depending on the surgical technique, the materials used, the type of anaesthesia, hospital conditions, and whether another procedure is required at the same time.
Rather than making a decision based solely on price, patients should consider the accuracy of the diagnosis, the presentation of alternative treatments, the characteristics of the sling used, and the postoperative follow-up plan. The exact cost can only be determined after a medical examination.
A detailed examination performed by Obstetrician and Gynaecologist Prof. Dr. İsmail Mete İtil can help identify the type of urinary incontinence and determine the most appropriate treatment option for the individual patient.
Conclusion
Urinary incontinence is not something to be ashamed of or accepted as a natural condition that must be endured. The first step towards successful treatment is to identify the type of incontinence correctly. Patients considering surgery in İzmir can consult Prof. Dr. İsmail Mete İtil, recognised as a leading obstetrician and gynaecologist, to discuss TOT, TVT, and other treatment options. Once a decision has been made together with the doctor, treatment is planned individually for the patient. Personalised planning forms the basis of a safer and more controlled return to everyday life.
This content is intended for general informational purposes and does not replace a medical examination, diagnosis, or personalised treatment plan.