Botox® Bladder Injection
Procedure overview
Botox® was approved by the FDA in the 1980s to treat certain disorders of the
eye muscles and is now widely used in cosmetic surgery to treat wrinkles. It has
been used in urology since the late 1990’s to treat certain disorders of the
bladder and urethra. It acts by binding to the nerve endings of muscles, blocking
the release of the transmitter that causes the muscles to contract. The effect is to
temporarily paralyze or weaken the muscles at the site of injection.
How is it done?
During a cystoscopy the Botox® is injected through the scope at several sites
into the muscle of the bladder. This generally takes approximately 30 minutes
and can be done under local anesthesia in the office or general anesthesia in
the hospital as an outpatient procedure.
What are the benefits?
Botox® can be used to treat incontinence or urgency/frequency caused by
involuntary contractions of the bladder muscle. The benefits usually last for 6-9
months, and the procedure can be repeated, if successful. Studies have shown
that roughly 2/3 of patients will benefit from this approach.
What are the risks?
Risks of cystoscopy include bleeding and infection, which are generally mild and
treatable. Temporary urinary retention can be successfully treated with
intermittent catheterization.