Bladder Neck Incision (BNI)

Procedures we perform

ABOUT BLADDER NECK INCISION

What is a bladder neck incision?

A bladder neck incision (BNI) is a procedure used to treat bladder neck obstruction, which causes urinary problems due to narrowing at the bladder neck.

The bladder neck is the area where the bladder and prostate connect. Sometimes this opening can be abnormally tight, which is known as a bladder neck stenosis.

Why is a bladder neck incision required?

Bladder neck stenosis causes urinary symptoms due to restricting the flow of urine out of the bladder.

These symptoms may include:

Waking through the night to urinate.

Needing to pass urine frequently and urgently.

Reduced urine flow.

Difficulty starting urination.

Incomplete bladder emptying.

Some men may be born with bladder neck stenosis, but often the symptoms worsen throughout life as the prostate enlarges.

Prostate Enlargement

Prostate enlargement, also called benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), is a non-cancerous growth of the prostate gland that commonly occurs in men as they age. The prostate surrounds the urethra, so when it enlarges, it can press against the urethra and block urine flow.

PATIENT JOURNEY

What does a bladder neck incision (BNI) involve?

BNI involves passing a telescope into the bladder through the urethra (waterpipe). An electrosurgical knife or a laser is used make a cut through the muscle fibres at the bladder neck and cauterise bleeding.

BNI is performed with a general anaesthetic or spinal anaesthetic (numb from the waist down).

What is the recovery after a bladder neck incision (BNI)?

BNI usually requires a one night stay in hospital.

A catheter is placed in the bladder after the procedure. It is usually removed prior to discharge from hospital.

Urinary flow usually improves within the first few weeks after the procedure. Urinary frequency and urgency will initially be worse and may take several weeks to improve. There may be blood in the urine for a few weeks after the procedure.

You can return to most activities one to two weeks after a BNI, but you need to avoid heavy lifting and straining for approximately four weeks.

What are the alternative treatment options?

Our urologists offer a variety of surgical treatment options for the management of urinary symptoms due to bladder neck stenosis.

Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP)

Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) is a procedure used to treat urinary problems caused by an enlarged prostate.

Temporary Implanted Nitinol Device (iTIND)

Temporary implanted nitinol device (iTind) is a minimally procedure is a treatment for the management of an enlarged prostate. It involves placing a temporary implant into the prostate which reshapes the prostate.