Large urethral prolapse formation after calcium hydroxylapatite (Coaptite) injection

Abstract

A 67-year-old woman who had failed two prior anti-incontinence surgeries presented with stress urinary incontinence and intrinsic sphincteric deficiency. Calcium hydroxylapatite (Coaptite(R)) was injected cystoscopically into the bladder neck and proximal urethra and resolved her incontinence. Seven months later, she presented with difficulty in voiding and a urethral mass. Physical examination revealed a large prolapse of the urethral mucosa obstructing the external urethral meatus. Surgical exploration revealed local migration of calcium hydroxylapatite particles from the site of injection (bladder neck and proximal urethra) to the distal urethra. The prolapsed urethral mucosa was incised and marsupialized. Improper injection techniques likely contributed to urethral prolapse in this complication. Meticulous attention to injection techniques is the key to treatment success of urethral bulking agents, particularly in patients who have a scarred/fixed urethra or have multiple urethral/vaginal surgeries.