FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Barrigel is the first and only hyaluronic acid prostate spacer on the market. Barrigel is made from Non-Animal Stabilised Hyaluronic Acid, known as NASHA®. NASHA has a long history of safety, efficacy, and biocompatibility in a wide variety of medical applications, including paediatric medicine.1,2 It is a well-known technology in aesthetic markets as a dermal filler, and has been used in over 50-million treatments globally across all approved indications.1
As with any injection procedure, there is a risk of infection. Potential procedure-related side effects can include pain at the injection site and a brief period of bleeding from the needle stick. Post-treatment side effects include mild to moderate sensation of rectal filling. Talk to your doctor about the risks associated with Barrigel.
Barrigel is implanted through a needle in an outpatient setting. Your doctor will use imaging technology during the procedure to sculpt the Barrigel implant to your anatomy.
Barrigel can be implanted during an outpatient procedure in a hospital or outpatient clinic prior to the start of radiation treatment. The implant is typically inserted at the same time as fiducial marker placement.
Your doctor is the best person to consult for timing on returning to your regular activities.
Barrigel is a hyaluronic acid spacer that is biocompatible with your body. The implant will stay in place for the duration of your radiation therapy and begin to safely reabsorb into your body after 3 months.3 It is important to note that the implant may be detected during anorectal examinations and medical imaging of the pelvis. It is important to inform your future doctors that you have had treatment with Barrigel.
Barrigel can be used with all forms of radiation therapy when treating organ-confined prostate cancer.4 Talk with your doctor to find out if Barrigel is right for you.
