Which surgical treatment is used for urge incontinence?

Which surgical treatment is used for urge incontinence?

• A. Sacral nerve stimulation
• B. Urinary diversion
• C. Bladder sling
• D. Pelvic floor repair

Answer: (A)

Urge incontinence comes from involuntary bladder contractions that cause leakage with a sudden urge to void. When conservative treatments and medications aren’t enough, surgically modulating bladder nerves can help. Sacral nerve stimulation works by delivering mild electrical impulses to the sacral nerves (usually targeting S3) to adjust the neural signals that control bladder storage and detrusor overactivity. This neuromodulation tends to increase bladder storage capacity, reduce urgency, and lessen leakage, making it a specific option for refractory overactive bladder with urge incontinence. The other procedures target different problems. A bladder sling supports the urethra to prevent leakage during physical activity and addresses stress incontinence, not urge. Pelvic floor repair aims to fix anatomical support issues and may help certain pelvic floor disorders but does not treat detrusor overactivity. Urinary diversion reroutes urine and is reserved for severely dysfunctional bladders where other options aren’t viable, not for typical urge symptoms.

Urge incontinence comes from involuntary bladder contractions that cause leakage with a sudden urge to void. When conservative treatments and medications aren’t enough, surgically modulating bladder nerves can help. Sacral nerve stimulation works by delivering mild electrical impulses to the sacral nerves (usually targeting S3) to adjust the neural signals that control bladder storage and detrusor overactivity. This neuromodulation tends to increase bladder storage capacity, reduce urgency, and lessen leakage, making it a specific option for refractory overactive bladder with urge incontinence.

The other procedures target different problems. A bladder sling supports the urethra to prevent leakage during physical activity and addresses stress incontinence, not urge. Pelvic floor repair aims to fix anatomical support issues and may help certain pelvic floor disorders but does not treat detrusor overactivity. Urinary diversion reroutes urine and is reserved for severely dysfunctional bladders where other options aren’t viable, not for typical urge symptoms.