For women who suffer from incontinence, a fallen bladder can often be the cause. To eliminate the discomfort and lifestyle impact caused by this condition, surgeons at PinnacleHealth use the most advanced techniques available to peform bladder sling surgery, including robot-assisted procedures made possible with the da Vinci ® Surgical System.

Fallen bladder, also called cystocele, is a condition which occurs when the wall between the bladder and vagina weakens, causing the bladder to drop or sag. The resulting pressure can cause stress incontinence, or urine leakage.

While some milder forms of the disorder may require activity modification, or estrogen replacement therapy to strengthen the muscles in the area, a sling is often recommended to support the bladder, allowing the urethra to remain closed under normal pressures, such as those associated with coughing or sneezing.

During a sling procedure, your physician will use a combination of synthetic materials and your body’s own tissue to form a mesh “hammock” which holds the bladder in place naturally, requiring no stitches. Over time, scar tissue forms around the mesh, keeping the sling steady.