What is Urology?

Urology: Urinary & Reproductive Disease Diagnosis & Treatment

Urology treats urinary tract diseases in all genders and male reproductive issues, covering the kidneys, bladder, prostate, urethra, from infections to complex cancers.

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The Therapeutic Philosophy: "Kidneys First"

Neurogenic Bladder

The treatment of Neurogenic Bladder at Liv Hospital follows a strict hierarchy of clinical goals. We do not just treat symptoms; we treat risks.

  1. Preservation of Renal Function: Prevent high pressures and reflux that cause renal failure. This is the absolute priority.
  2. Prevention of Infection: Minimize symptomatic UTIs and sepsis.
  3. Continence: Keep the patient dry to prevent skin breakdown, pressure ulcers, and social isolation.
  4. Quality of Life: Enable independence and sexual function.

Conservative and Behavioral Management

Clean Intermittent Catheterization (CIC). This is the Gold Standard for bladder emptying in a neurogenic bladder. It revolutionized the care of SCI patients in the 1970s (Lapides technique).

  • The Technique: The patient (or caregiver) inserts a single-use, low-friction (hydrophilic) catheter into the urethra to completely drain the bladder, typically 4-6 times a day.
  • Why it works: It mimics everyday bladder cycling (filling and emptying). It keeps bladder volumes low (preventing high pressure) and eliminates residual urine (preventing infection). It is far superior to indwelling (Foley) catheters, which carry high risks of disease, stones, and cancer.
  • Advanced Catheter Technology: Modern catheters feature hydrophilic coatings that activate with water, making them slippery and reducing friction and the risk of urethral strictures. Some are pre-lubricated or closed-system (with an attached bag) to further reduce infection risk.
  • Education: Liv Hospital nurses give hands-on training in hygiene and technique to help patients become independent.

Crede and Valsalva Maneuvers

  • Warning: Historically used to push urine out by pressing on the belly (Crede) or straining (Valsalva). These are generally discouraged now because they create extremely high intra-abdominal pressures that can cause reflux, hemorrhoids, and pelvic organ prolapse without effectively emptying the bladder against a dyssynergic sphincter.
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Anticholinergics (Antimuscarinics)

Neurogenic Bladder
  • Agents: Oxybutynin, Tolterodine, Solifenacin, Trospium, Fesoterodine.
  • Mechanism: They block the M3 receptors, relaxing the detrusor muscle. This lowers bladder pressure and increases capacity. They are the first-line drug for the “Spastic” bladder (Failure to Store).

Side Effects: Dry mouth, constipation (which must be managed aggressively in neurogenic patients to prevent bowel impaction), and potential cognitive effects in the elderly.

Beta-3 Agonists

  • Agent: Mirabegron, Vibegron.
  • Mechanism: Promotes active relaxation of the bladder via Beta-3 receptors without the anticholinergic side effects. Often used in combination with anticholinergics for better pressure control.

Alpha-Blockers

  • Agents: Tamsulosin, Doxazosin, Alfuzosin.
  • Mechanism: Relax the smooth muscle of the bladder neck and prostate. Useful in patients who can void voluntarily but have high outlet resistance, or to prevent Autonomic Dysreflexia during voiding.

Minimally Invasive Interventions

 

Icon 1 LIV Hospital

Intravesical OnabotulinumtoxinA (Botox)

shutterstock 2287159455 scaled LIV Hospital
  • Indication: Neurogenic Detrusor Overactivity (NDO) refractory to oral medications.
  • Procedure: Botox is injected via cystoscope into the detrusor muscle (20-30 sites, typically 200 units).
  • Mechanism: It blocks acetylcholine release via SNARE complex cleavage, creating a “chemical paralysis” of the bladder muscle. This drastically lowers pressures and stops incontinence.
  • Efficacy: Highly effective (lasts 6-9 months).
  • Caveat: Almost all patients must be willing to perform CIC, as the bladder often becomes too relaxed to void voluntarily. It converts a “dangerous, leaking” bladder into a “safe, storage” bladder.

Surgical Management (Reconstructive Urology)

Surgery is reserved for patients whose bladders become “hostile” (high pressure, low compliance) despite maximal medical therapy, threatening the kidneys.

Augmentation Cystoplasty (“Clam” Cystoplasty)

  • Procedure: The bladder is cut open like a clam. A segment of the patient’s intestine (usually the ileum) is detubularized (flattened) and sewn onto the bladder as a patch.
  • Result: This breaks the muscle ring of the bladder (stopping high-pressure contractions) and significantly increases volume capacity.
  • Implication: Patients must perform CIC for life, as the augmented bladder cannot squeeze to empty. Mucus production from the bowel segment requires regular irrigation. Metabolic acidosis can occur due to urine absorption through the bowel patch.

Urinary Diversion. For patients who cannot perform CIC (e.g., quadriplegia with poor hand function) or have severe complications.

  • Ileal Conduit (Urostomy): The ureters are connected to a piece of bowel brought out to the skin as a stoma. Urine drains continuously into a bag. It is a simple, low-pressure system.
  • Continent Cutaneous Diversion (Mitrofanoff): The appendix (or a piece of bowel) is used to create a leak-proof channel between the bladder and the belly button (umbilicus). The patient catheterizes through the belly button. This allows for easy wheelchair access (no undressing) and no external bag (continent).

Sphincterotomy

  • Procedure: The external sphincter is surgically cut (incised) endoscopically.
  • Indication: Typically for quadriplegic men who cannot catheterize and have a dangerous DSD.
  • Result: The sphincter becomes incompetent. Urine drains continuously into a condom catheter (external collection device). This lowers bladder pressure and protects the kidneys but causes total incontinence.

Sacral Neuromodulation (Interstim) and SARS

Interstim: A pacemaker for the bladder. Useful in incomplete injuries or urinary retention to restore function.

  • SARS (Sacral Anterior Root Stimulator): For complete SCI patients. Implanted electrodes stimulate the roots to empty the bladder (Brindley procedure). Often combined with Dorsal Rhizotomy (cutting sensory nerves) to stop reflex incontinence.
Neurogenic Bladder

Tissue Engineering and Future Therapies

Liv Hospital monitors the forefront of urological science. Research into “Tissue Engineered Bladders”—using a patient’s own cells grown on a scaffold to augment the bladder without using intestine—is promising. This avoids the complications of metabolic acidosis and mucus production associated with bowel segments. While still largely experimental, this represents the future of neurogenic bladder reconstruction.

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Is Clean Intermittent Catheterization (CIC) painful?

Initially, it may feel strange or slightly uncomfortable, but it should not be painful. Modern catheters are “hydrophilic” (coated with slippery lubricant activated by water) and very smooth. Most patients report that the relief of emptying the bladder far outweighs the minor inconvenience. It becomes a routine part of the day, like brushing teeth.

Indwelling catheters (Foley catheters) are convenient but dangerous in the long term. They act as a highway for bacteria (chronic UTIs), cause bladder stones, erode the urethra (hypospadias), and significantly increase the risk of Bladder Cancer (Squamous Cell) after 10+ years of use due to chronic irritation. CIC is much safer for long-term health.

Yes, that is actually the goal for many neurogenic patients. We want to paralyze the spasms to lower the dangerous pressures. This means the bladder won’t squeeze on its own. You will likely need to use a catheter (CIC) to empty it, but you will be dry (continent), and your kidneys will be safe. It converts a “dangerous, leaking” bladder into a “safe, storage” bladder.

It is a surgery that creates a catheterizable channel using your appendix. One end connects to the bladder, the other to your belly button (umbilicus). A valve mechanism prevents leaking. You insert a catheter through your belly button to empty the bladder. It is fantastic for wheelchair users who find it hard to undress or reach their urethra (e.g., women in wheelchairs).

Yes. Sexual function is a key part of quality of life. Bladder management should be planned around intimacy (e.g., catheterizing beforehand to prevent leakage). For men with erectile dysfunction due to nerve damage, treatments like PDE5 inhibitors (Viagra), injections, or penile implants are available. For women, lubrication and positioning are key. Liv Hospital offers sexual rehabilitation counseling.

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