Macroplastique^®

Bulking Agent for Urinary Incontinence and Vesicoureteral Reflux

What is Macroplastique?
Macroplastique is an injectable soft-tissue bulking agent used to treat female and male urinary incontinence, and Vesicoureteral Reflux (VUR) primarily in children.  Macroplastique is a synthetic material made of a silicone elastomer that is permanent and not absorbed by the body.  It is this permanent material that creates the bulking effect.

Macroplastique has been used safely and effectively in over 70,000 patients since 1991. Many clinical studies have reported Macroplastique to be clinically effective with a low rate of side-effects (individual results may vary depending on your type of urinary incontinence). So, you can be assured of its safety and effectiveness.

Treatment for Female Stress Urinary Incontinence
Injecting Macroplastique into the urethral wall will restore support and help restore normal function.  By adding this support, the sphincter muscle that holds in urine will remain closed while your bladder is filling with urine. When you wish to void, you can relax the sphincter muscle and empty your bladder normally. 

Prior to the procedure, the doctor will give you an antibiotic to reduce the risk of infection.  Upon the start of the procedure, the doctor will give you local anaesthetic in the tissues near your bladder to reduce discomfort.  Your doctor will also fill your bladder to halfway with water or saline to better view the implantation area.  There are two different ways in which your doctor can implant Macroplastique. 

1)      An optical instrument (cystoscope), placed in the urethra, is used during the procedure to allow your doctor to view your urethra and bladder while injecting Macroplastique into the surrounding urethral tissue.  The optical instrument is removed after the injection and your treatment is complete.

2)      The Macroplastique Implantation Device (MID), a small plastic device is placed in the urethra.  The device has angled holes to aid in injection of Macroplastique.  After the injection, the device is removed and your treatment is complete.

Both procedures are safe,  minimally invasive, equally successful, and can be done in less than 30 minutes as an outpatient or daycase procedure.  Your doctor may choose to use either local anaesthesia or general anaesthesia.  Most women can go home on the same day. In some cases an overnight or short hospital stay is normal. Most women are able to resume normal activities or return to work shortly after their treatment.  

For more information, see the patient education brochure at the bottom of this page.

Treatment for Male Stress Urinary Incontinence
Macroplastique adds volume to the tissue surrounding the urethra. This extra volume increases the urethral closure pressure to prevent urine leakage during normal activities.

Prior to the procedure, the doctor will give you an antibiotic to reduce the risk of infection.  Upon the start of the procedure, the doctor will give you general anesthetic.  Your doctor will also fill your bladder to halfway with water or saline to better view the implantation area.

During the procedure, an optical instrument (cystoscope), placed in the urethra, is used to allow your doctor to view your urethra and bladder while injecting Macroplastique into the surrounding urethral tissue.  The optical instrument is removed after the injection and your treatment is complete.

The procedure is usually performed under general anaesthesia as a daycase procedure, usually in less than 30 minutes.  Most men can go home on the same day.  In some cases an overnight or short hospital stay is normal.  Most men are able to resume normal activities or return to work shortly thereafter.  For more information, see the patient education brochure at the bottom of this page.

Treatment for Vesicoureteral Reflux (VUR)
Macroplastique is a minimally invasive treatment option for VUR. The procedure’s goal is to prevent the back flow of urine from the bladder into the ureters.  

Prior to the procedure, the doctor will give you an antibiotic to reduce the risk of infection.  In children, a light general anesthesia is given while adults may be given a regional anesthesia. During the procedure, an optical instrument (cystoscope), placed in the urethra, is used to allow your doctor to view your bladder. Once injected, Macroplastique creates a bulge in the tissue, making it more difficult for urine to flow back up the ureter.

This procedure can be performed as an outpatient procedure or in the hospital in about 20 minutes.  If necessary, further surgery is not precluded after Macroplastique implantation.  The patient is usually able to return home on the same day.  For more information see the patient education brochure at the bottom of this page.

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