There are several indications for bladder repair surgery, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. One of them is the prolapsed bladder, in which the urinary bladder descends into the vagina due to weakness. Another indication is urinary incontinence, a condition wherein the person is unable to control urine function due to a weakened bladder. Bladder cancer can also be another reason why people undergo bladder repair surgery. In these cases, different surgical approaches may be used, but they can all have possible complications just like any other surgical procedures.
Difficulty in Urination
According to Vancouver Coastal Health in Canada, a person who has undergone bladder repair surgery might experience difficulty in urinating, which is a common complication for a sling procedure, a procedure indicated for bladder prolapse or urinary incontinence. The effect of this operation is urinary retention to counteract incontinence. Because of this, the bladder becomes enlarged, creating difficulty in urinating. This can also be experienced by persons who have undergone transurethral resection, which is a procedure indicated during the early stages of bladder cancer. Pain also goes hand in hand with urination difficulties, especially during the recovery period.
Overactive Bladder
MayoClinic.com reports that bladder cancer patients who have their tumors removed are especially prone to this complication. Some patients do not only have their tumors removed but also have a portion of their bladder excised, hence causing symptoms of overactive bladder incontinence, such as urine leakage and sudden urge to urinate.
Pelvic Organ Prolapse
Urinary incontinence surgeries can also cause pelvic organ prolapse, as stated by University of Maryland Medical Center. Other organs in the pelvis, such as the rectum, uterus or small bowel can prolapse into the vagina during bladder repair surgery. This is because the bladder rests closely to the other pelvic organs, thus repairing it or restoring its shape can also affect the surrounding organs.
Urinary Tract Infection
Like any other surgeries, there is a risk for infection in bladder repair surgeries. MayoClinic.com states that infection of the urinary tract is a common complication, especially in retropubic suspension. This surgery is used specifically for women, in which the bladder is placed back into its original position, preventing the bladder from pushing down onto the urethra. The sling procedure and the replacement of the urinary sphincter by an artificial one can also cause infections, since synthetic materials are often introduced during these procedures. In urinary tract infections, bacteria are not flushed out properly, thus infecting a portion of the urinary tract. Physicians manage this complication with the use of antibiotics.
