Coloplast Products
Coloplast develops and manufactures medical devices and services for intimate healthcare needs.
Dr. Angel Marie Johnson, the director of our Women’s Health Center in Dedham, uses certain Coloplast products in her urogynecology practice. Below is information from Dr. Johnson about the devices she uses.
Coloplast devices
Coloplast Altis single incision sling
This sling is incredibly effective at reducing the leakage of urine with activity (think sneezing, coughing, jumping), otherwise known as stress urinary incontinence (SUI).
During the procedure, your doctor will make one small (typically 1-2 cm) incision to place an Altis sling beneath your urethra; this provides support to the urethra when there is stress on the bladder, such as when you cough, laugh or sneeze. After the procedure, most women experience less leaks.
It’s a very reliable, predictable, and effective device and is safe for the treatment of stress urinary incontinence in women.
Coloplast Restorelle® Y
Restorelle Y was designed by a urogynecologist for the female pelvic floor. This ultra-lightweight mesh may be used during surgery to treat apical prolapse, a condition in which the top of the vagina or uterus loses support and begins to descend.
During the procedure, the mesh is attached to the vagina and/or cervix through the abdomen to restore support. This surgery, called a sacrocolpopexy, is performed laparoscopically, abdominally, or robotically, rather than vaginally.
Safety of the mesh Restorelle® Y.
All the mesh produced by Coloplast is monofilament polypropylene mesh. This mesh is expertly designed to minimize infection, inflammation, and pain. In my experience with this material, incidence of infection has been very low, and the risk of mesh complications, including exposure, is also very low.
The mesh is also ultra-lightweight, which is significant as well. Whenever you place an implant inside the human body, you want to make sure the body’s going to heal around it appropriately. If a device is too heavy, too rigid, and/or too inflexible, instead of the body incorporating it and almost recognizing it as itself, the body will wall it off or scar it over. In a place like the vagina, that becomes a problem because it can result in pain and bleeding.
By using ultra-lightweight monofilament polypropylene mesh produced by Coloplast, and other companies alike, it helps not only incorporate the tissue more appropriately, but it helps minimize infection rates, while providing a stronger, more durable, long-standing repair with less discomfort.
Other Coloplast non-mesh options
Contact Dr. Angel Marie Johnson for additional information.
Learn more about Dr. Johnson and contact her via our Dedham location or schedule an appointment.