Intravesical (Bladder) Botox

ABOUT INTRAVESTICAL BOTOX

What is cystoscopy and injection of intravesical (bladder) Botox?

Cystoscopy and Intravesical Botox is a procedure to inject botulinum toxin (Botox) into the bladder wall.

Botulinum toxin works by temporarily reducing the ability of the bladder wall muscles to contract (squeeze).

Botox ® is the only brand of botulinum toxin licenced for this indication in Australia.

It is most commonly used to treat urinary incontinence due to an overactive or neurogenic bladder.

Why is intravesical (bladder) Botox required?

Cystoscopy and injection of intravesical botulinum toxin is a well established treatment to manage the symptoms of overactive bladder or neurogenic bladder, including:

- Urinary frequency.
- Waking at night to pass urine.
- Urinary urgency.
- Urinary incontinence.

Cystoscopy and injection of intravesical botulinum toxin is also occasionally used to treat bladder pain.

Draft -Urinary incontinence

Urinary incontinence is lack of voluntary control over urination.

PATIENT JOURNEY

What does a cystoscopy and injection of intravesical botulinum toxin involve?

A cystoscopy and injection of botulinum toxin can be performed with general anaesthetic (asleep), sedation or local anaesthetic (numbing gel in your urethra).

A telescope is inserted through your urethra into your bladder. Once the telescope is in the bladder, the bladder wall is injected with the Botox.

What does a cystoscopy and injection of intravesical botulinum toxin involve?

A cystoscopy and injection of Botox is usually performed in hospital as day surgery.

If you have a cystoscopy and injection of Botox with local anaesthetic, you can usually drive yourself home. If you have sedation or general anaesthetic, you will not be able to drive for 24 hours.

What is the recovery after cystoscopy and injection of intravesical botulinum toxin?

You may notice blood in your urine and have mild burning and stinging when passing urine for a day or two following the procedure.

If you have the procedure while awake, you can usually return to work the same day. If you have sedation, general anaesthetic or spinal anaesthetic, you can usually return to work one to two days after the procedure.