What is Trauma?
 Trauma is a serious injury or shock to the body. It is caused by a physical force such as violence or an accident. The injury may be complicated by psychiatric, behavioral, and social factors.
It is critical to have an entire team immediately available to provide care to an injured patient 24-hours a day. This teamwork starts at the scene of the injury where a coordinated, statewide pre-hospital medical system rapidly transports the injured patient from the scene to the hospital providing the appropriate level of care according to criteria established in the statewide trauma regulations. Once at the hospital, a complete team of surgeons, emergency physicians and nurses continue the life-saving treatment.
This team approach to care of the injured patient has had a dramatic impact on saving lives.
Minimally Invasive Procedures for Massive Bleeding
Injuries take many forms. The most advanced hospitals can treat injuries with a variety of approaches that involve well-known ones, like surgery, and newer ones where minimally invasive procedures can replace some surgeries.
As a Level 1 Trauma Center, Hartford Hospital has Interventional Radiologists as part of the Trauma Team. They perform procedures such as "embolization" which is a recognized interventional radiology technique that is used to treat trauma patients with massive bleeding.
Click here to see some of the advanced interventional techniques available at Hartford Hospital.
Learn more about trauma, or search below to learn about other health conditions. |
Definition | Reasons for Procedure | Possible Complications | What to Expect | Call Your Doctor
Definition
Stress
incontinence
is one of the many causes of uncontrolled leaking of urine. Urethral suspension is a surgery to correct incontinence in women.
The incontinence is most often caused by weakening of the pelvic muscles that normally keep the bladder in position. The muscles may be weakened by: Reasons for ProcedureThe goal of this surgery is to provide extra support to the urethra and give more resistance against leakage. This will stop the uncontrolled leaking of urine. Possible ComplicationsComplications are rare, but no procedure is completely free of risk. If you are planning to have a urethral suspension, your doctor will review a list of possible complications which may include: - Bleeding
- Infection
- Reactions to anesthesia
- Inability to urinate
- Continued incontinence or recurrence of the problem
- Damage to other nearby organs or blood vessels
- Erosion of the mesh material used during the procedure
- Pain (such as, during sexual intercourse)
Factors that may increase the risk of complications include: Talk to your doctor about any factors that may increase your risk. What to ExpectYour doctor will try to find out why you are leaking urine through some or all of the following: - Medical history—information about medicines, illnesses, number of pregnancies, and previous surgeries; pattern of leaking and how it is affecting your life
- Urine sample—to look for the presence of infection or other problems
- Physical exam—includes a rectal and vaginal exam
-
Additional testing may be ordered to evaluate bladder function and urine flow, such as:
- Urodynamic testing (urine flow studies)—a temporary catheter is placed to study bladder function
- Cystoscopy
—a procedure done to view the inside of the bladder
Leading up to surgery: -
Talk to your doctor about your medicines. You may be asked to stop taking some medicines up to one week before the procedure, like:
- Aspirin
or other anti-inflammatory drugs
-
Blood thinners, such as
warfarin
(Coumadin)
- Clopidogrel
(Plavix)
- Arrange for a ride home from the hospital.
- Do not eat or drink anything after midnight the night before.
Two incisions will be made in the vagina. A nylon mesh-like tape will be inserted in these incisions to form a hammock. This will give support to the urethra, closing the urethra during a cough or sneeze. No sutures will be needed to hold the tape in place. The mesh will hold onto the surrounding tissue until scar tissue grows into it. After surgery, you will be monitored in a recovery room. You will most likely have a catheter in place to drain your urine.
Anesthesia will block pain during the surgery. After surgery, you may experience some pain or soreness. You will be given
pain medicine
to relieve discomfort.
You may be able to go home the same day. At first, your urine may look bloody. This will resolve over time. When you are able to empty your bladder completely, the catheter will be removed. You may be up and walking the same day as the surgery. Avoid lifting and strenuous exercise for six weeks after surgery. This will allow healing to take place. Ask your doctor about when it is safe to shower, bathe, or soak in water.
To help ensure a smooth recovery, follow your doctor's
instructions
.
Call Your DoctorAfter you leave the hospital, contact your doctor if any of the following occurs: - Signs of infection, including fever and chills
- Redness, swelling, increasing pain, excessive bleeding, or any discharge from the incision sites
- Pain that you cannot control with the medicines you have been given
- Cough, shortness of breath, or chest pain
- Severe nausea or vomiting
- Trouble urinating
- Pain, burning, urgency, or frequency while urinating
In case of an emergency, call for medical help right away.
The surgical management of female stress urinary incontinence. The American Urological Association website. Available at:
http://www.auanet.org/content/media/stress2009-chapter1.pdf. Published 1997. Accessed October 20, 2009.
Surgical management of urinary incontinence. American Urological Association website. Available at:
http://www.urologyhealth.org/urology/index.cfm?article=33. Updated 2003. Accessed October 20, 2009.
Surgical mesh. US Food and Drug Administration website. Available at:
http://www.fda.gov/MedicalDevices/Safety/AlertsandNotices/ucm142636.htm. Updated October 8, 2009. Accessed October 20, 2009.
Surgical treatment for female stress urinary incontinence. National Association for Continence website. Available at:
http://www.nafc.org/bladder-bowel-health/types-of-incontinence/stress-incontinence/surgical-treatment-for-female-stress-urinary-incontinence/. Updated July 2009. Accessed October 20, 2009. Treatment and prevention.
The American Urogynecologic Society website. Available at:
http://www.mypelvichealth.org/TreatmentPrevention/BladderControlProblems/TreatmentOptions/Surgery/tabid/120/Default.aspx. Accessed October 20, 2009.
Townsend MK, Danforth KN, et al. Physical activity and incident urinary incontinence in middle-aged women.
J Urol. 2008;179:1012-1016; discussion 1016-1017.
Urinary incontinence. American Academy of Family Physicians. Family Doctor.org website. Available at:
http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/women/gen-health/189.html. Updated July 2010. Accessed November 19, 2010.
Wein AJ.
Campbell-Walsh Urology. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2007.
6/3/2011 DynaMed's Systematic Literature Surveillance
https://dynamed.ebscohost.com/about/about-us: Mills E, Eyawo O, Lockhart I, Kelly S, Wu P, Ebbert JO. Smoking cessation reduces postoperative complications: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Am J Med.
2011;124(2):144-154.e8.
Last reviewed September 2012 by Adrienne Carmack, MD Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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