Question

A female patient with 6 months of stress incontinence decides to have the problem fixed. What procedure was completed?

1) Laparoscopic urethral suspension
2) Outpatient therapies
3) Medication
4) Physical therapy

Answer 1

For a female patient with stress incontinence, non-invasive treatments like physical therapy with Kegel exercises are an initial option. If these approaches are not successful, a laparoscopic urethral suspension may be the procedure completed to provide better support for the bladder.

Step-by-step explanation:

A female patient with 6 months of stress incontinence is considering treatment to fix the problem. Stress incontinence is caused by the loss of support of the urethra, often due to the stretching of pelvic floor muscles, which can occur during activities such as childbirth. It results in the leakage of small amounts of urine with activities that increase abdominal pressure, like coughing or sneezing. Treatment options for stress urinary incontinence may include non-invasive approaches like physical therapy, which involves Kegel exercises to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles. In more serious cases, surgical procedures such as a laparoscopic urethral suspension may be required to improve support for the bladder. Unlike stress incontinence, urge incontinence, which is characterized by the leakage of large amounts of urine and an insufficient warning to get to the bathroom in time, might be treated with medication to relax the detrusor muscle.

Therefore, if the female patient decides to have the problem of stress incontinence fixed and non-invasive treatments are not successful or suitable, the procedure that might be completed is a laparoscopic urethral suspension.