Barrigel Rectal Spacer

Understanding Barrigel® Rectal Spacers

Radiation therapy is a widely used and effective treatment for prostate cancer. One challenge with radiation therapy, however, is limiting exposure to nearby healthy tissues. When surrounding organs receive radiation, patients may experience unwanted side effects.

One innovative way to reduce this risk is the use of Barrigel® rectal spacers.

What Is Barrigel?

Barrigel is a hydrogel spacer that is placed between the prostate and the rectum. Its purpose is to create a protective space between the prostate, which requires radiation treatment, and the rectum, which does not.

By increasing the distance between these two structures, Barrigel helps reduce radiation exposure to the rectum and protect healthy tissue during prostate cancer treatment.

How Barrigel Works

The Barrigel procedure is minimally invasive and is typically performed under local anesthesia.

During the procedure:

• A small needle is used to inject the hydrogel into the space between the prostate and rectum

• The gel expands and forms a protective cushion between the two structures

• The spacer maintains its shape throughout radiation therapy

• This separation helps move the rectum away from the high-dose radiation area

The spacer remains in place during treatment and is gradually absorbed by the body over time.

Benefits of Barrigel

Using Barrigel during prostate radiation therapy offers several potential benefits:

• Reduced radiation exposure to the rectum

• Lower risk of bowel-related side effects

• Protection of healthy rectal tissue

• Improved comfort during and after treatment

• Better overall quality of life for many patients

By creating a physical buffer between the prostate and rectum, Barrigel helps make radiation therapy safer and more precise.

Possible Bowel Complications from Radiation Exposure

Without protection, radiation therapy may sometimes affect the rectum. Side effects can occur either shortly after treatment or later over time.

Short-Term (Acute) Effects

• Diarrhea or increased bowel frequency

• Rectal bleeding

• Pain or discomfort during bowel movements

• Mucous discharge

• Tenesmus (a persistent feeling of needing to pass stool)

Long-Term (Chronic) Effects

• Ongoing or chronic diarrhea

• Fistula formation (abnormal connections between organs)

• Rectal ulcers

• Scar tissue causing narrowing of the rectum (strictures)

• Fecal incontinence or difficulty controlling bowel movements

Conclusion

Radiation therapy is an important and effective treatment for prostate cancer, but protecting nearby healthy tissue is essential to reducing side effects.

Barrigel provides a safe and effective way to create space between the prostate and rectum, helping minimize radiation exposure to sensitive tissues. By lowering the risk of bowel complications, Barrigel can help improve both the treatment experience and long-term quality of life for many patients.

If you are preparing for prostate radiation therapy, your urologist can help determine whether Barrigel rectal spacer treatment is right for you.