Periurethral injection of collagen in the treatment of intrinsic sphincteric deficiency in the female patient.

In properly selected patients, the periurethral injection of collagen is a safe and effective form of management for females with intrinsic sphincteric dysfunction. Performed under local anesthesia, this procedure allows for the treatment of patients who may not be suitable candidates for anesthesia and formal surgery. In female patients, excellent treatment results are obtained, which appear durable for greater than 2 years; these results are obtained usually within three treatment sessions. Periurethral collagen injection has been shown to elicit only a minimal inflammatory reaction and there have been no adverse immunogenic effects, foreign-body reaction, or migration of the injected material. Adverse events associated with the periurethral injection of collagen are rare. Collagen has proven to be a highly efficacious substance for use in periurethral injections for the treatment of intrinsic sphincteric dysfunction.