Incontinence
Dr. Wilkie performs a number of surgical and injection therapies solutions, providing a better chance for long term correction of Urinary Incontinence (bladder problems) and Prolapse for his patients.
Trans Vaginal Tape Procedure for Stress Incontinence
Dr. Wilkie is one of the first surgeons to offer the Trans Vaginal Tape Procedure in Canada. This minimally invasive treatment is frequently offered to women diagnosed with Urinary Incontinence.
The Trans Vaginal Tape Procedure is a short operation, usually performed in a Day Care Surgical Unit. The procedure can be done using local anesthetic with sedation allowing patients to return home soon afterwards. In most circumstances, over the counter (OTC) pain medication is all that is required for pain prevention following the procedure. (Read more about pain prevention under Patient Information, FAQs)
Dr. Wilkie has performed more than 2500 Tape Procedures. He is a national expert in the use and application of minimally invasive surgery for stress incontinence. Dr. Wilkie and his team will help you prepare for your surgery and will explain what the expected postoperative (after surgery) course will be. (Read more about Dr. Wilkie and his team).
Peri-Urethral or Bulking Injections/ Injection Therapy
Dr. Wilkie is one of first surgeons in British Columbia to introduce Peri-Urethral Injections for women with Stress Urinary Incontinence. His expertise and experience ensures that the injection treatment technique is precise, achieving the most favourable result and often instant relief.
Injection Therapy is particularly appropriate for women who are not good candidates for surgical procedures or for women where prior Stress Urinary Incontinence intervention and treatment has failed.
Nearly every client can be injected after inserting a local anesthetic gel into the bladder. Some patients may require a repeat treatment.
Patients choosing this form of treatment will receive Patient Care information about the procedure and post-injection care during your consultation. (Visit our Patient Care Area).
Please note: the material and costs involved in injection therapy to control Incontinence are currently not covered by the BC Medical Service Plan. If you or your patient has Extended Care or third party insurance, the majority of Injection Therapy is often covered. Please contact your insurance provider to find out to see what percentage of the procedure it will cover.
Burch Procedure
This abdominal procedure has been considered the ‘Gold Standard’ treatment for Urinary Stress Incontinence. The Burch Procedure involves placing permanent sutures on each side of the urethra to provide support when coughing, sneezing or moving suddenly.
Dr. Wilkie has taken this procedure one step further, creating a less invasive surgery. Once a lengthy hospital stay, women now having the procedure can leave the same day and can return to normal activities within days of their surgery.
Despite these advances, the Burch procedure has been largely replaced by the Trans Vaginal Tape Procedure. This procedure is less invasive, takes less time to perform, and requires less anesthetic. As a result, patients experience even less “down time” compared to the Burch Procedure.
The Trans Vaginal Tape procedure is equally as effective, and in some instances may be more effective than the Burch Procedure. Trans Vaginal Tape is often better suited for women whose previous surgery has failed, who are obese or who are poor surgical candidates due to other medical problems.
BOTOX for Urge Incontinence
Botulinum Toxin (Botox ™) has been used for over twenty years for the treatment of unwanted muscle overactivity. It involves injection of very small amounts of a muscle inactivator into the muscle fibers. Now widely know it for its cosmetic effects in reducing wrinkles, Botox has been used successfully to control muscles when over activity impairs normal function.
Botox injections in the bladder muscle can be very helpful when the bladder cannot be controlled by the normal nerve pathways. These injections can be done during a cystoscopy procedure using local anesthetic or local freezing in our office.
Botox Injections are only performed when other conservative treatments such as retraining techniques and medications have failed.
Please note: the material and costs associated with Botox are not covered by the BC Medical Service Plan. If you have Extended Care or third party insurance, the majority of Botox Injection Therapy is often covered for Overactive Bladder. Please contact your insurance provider for details.
Prolapse
Dr. Wilkie specializes in Urogynecology and Reconstructive Gynaecologic Surgery. He uses both vaginal and abdominal procedures to correct Vaginal Prolapse and will often correct all prolapse related problems at once. In most cases, the surgery is performed through the vagina.
Some women experiencing prolapsed may benefit from a Pessary, a device worn in the vagina for support. Patients should also avoid heavy lifting. Maintaining a healthy weight, Kegel exercises and medication such as Estrogen might also help alleviate some of the symptoms. Patrients should be encouraged to eat high fibre foods to help prevent the straining that is associated with constipation.
Surgery for Prolapse
In most cases of prolapse, surgery is indicated. Women with symptoms of one type of Vaginal Prolapse are more likely to have or develop other types as well.
Dr. Wilkie is dedicated to giving his patients the most advanced and up to date treatment options available. All patients receive a full gynecological exam prior to any treatment. Dr. Wilkie will first evaluate the patient’s condition and then discuss which treatment is most appropriate. Included in this discussion is a review of the risks and benefits. If surgery seems the best option, he will inform patients about how to prepare for the surgery and what the expected postoperative (after surgery) course will be.
Dr. Wilkie and his team will inform you about how to prepare for the surgery and what the expected postoperative (after surgery) course will be. (Read more in our FAQs or visit our Patient Care area).
Our client care coordinator will look after your patient’s referral and appointment. please call 604 736-5404 or please visit our Physician’s Page to download a PDF.
The surgery you performed to insert the Trans Vaginal Tape in June has helped tremendously with my incontinence problems. I was amazed at the quick recovery. I can now sneeze, lift children, and have less urgency than before. I would highly recommend this surgery.