(also known as Stress Urinary Incontinence)

If coughing, laughing, sneezing and physical activity cause you to leak urine, you may suffer from Stress Incontinence. This type of bladder problem or urinary incontinence is common and is often related to physical changes resulting from pregnancy, childbirth and menopause. Today, women have a much better chance of a permanent correction of Stress Urinary Incontinence than ever before.

The first step towards relief from bladder problems is to have an assessment. Dr. Wilkie and his team are dedicated to giving you the most advanced and up-to-date treatment options available. Prior to any procedure, all patients are examined to ensure there are no underlying medical problems. A gynecological exam will be performed to evaluate your condition and assess what form of treatment is the right option for you. You will have the opportunity to discuss its risks and benefits. If surgery seems the best option, we will inform you about how to prepare for the surgery and what the expected post-operative (after surgery) course will be.

Our Client Care Coordinator will look after your referral and appointment.

Treatment Options

Trans Vaginal Tape Procedure for Stress Incontinence

Dr. Wilkie is one of the first surgeons in Canada to offer this minimally invasive treatment to women diagnosed with Urinary Stress Incontinence. Today women have a much better chance of a permanent correction of Stress Urinary Incontinence than ever before.

The Trans Vaginal Tape Procedure is a short operation and is usually done in a Day Care Surgical Unit. The procedure can be done using local anaesthetic with sedation and you then go home soon afterwards. Usually, over the counter (OTC) pain medication is all that is required (visit our Patient Care Area for more information.)

Dr. Wilkie has performed more than 5,000 Tape Procedures. He is a national expert in the use and application of minimally invasive surgery for stress incontinence. Dr. Wilkie and his staff will inform you about how to prepare for your surgery and what the expected post-operative (after surgery) course will be.

Injection Therapy

Dr. Wilkie is one of first surgeons in British Columbia to introduce Bulking Injection Therapy for women with Stress Incontinence. His expertise and experience as a surgeon ensures that the injection treatment technique is precise, achieving the most favourable results and often instant relief.

Injection Therapy is particularly appropriate for women who are not good candidates for surgical procedures and for women where prior Stress Urinary Incontinence intervention and treatment has failed.

Nearly every client can be injected after inserting a local anaesthetic 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 associated costs involved in Injection Therapy to control Stress 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 costs are often covered. Please contact your insurance provider to find out to see what percentage of the costs it will cover.

Minimally Invasive 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 minimally 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 even less invasive, takes less time to perform, and requires less anaesthetic. 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.