Barrigel™

The Barrigel™ spacer is designed to:

• Protect the rectum from radiation exposure during prostate cancer therapy
• Reduce the risk of treatment-related side effects, including rectal bleeding, diarrhea, and incontinence
• Improve overall patient comfort and quality of life throughout radiation treatment

The procedure is minimally invasive and typically completed in about 30 minutes:

1. Preparation – Local anesthesia is administered to ensure patient comfort.
2. Ultrasound Guidance – A small needle is inserted through the perineum (the area between the scrotum and anus) under the guidance of ultrasound.
3. Barrigel™ Injection – The hydrogel is carefully injected into the space between the prostate and rectum, where it expands to create a protective cushion.
4. Temporary Protection – The spacer remains in place for the duration of radiation therapy, typically about three months.
5. Natural Absorption – After treatment, the body gradually absorbs the gel safely and naturally.

Using Barrigel™ during prostate cancer treatment offers several advantages:

• Reduces Radiation Damage – Protects the rectum from unnecessary exposure
• Minimizes Side Effects – Lowers the risk of bowel complications and incontinence
• Personalized Placement – The sculptable gel allows our specialists to customize the shape for each patient’s anatomy
• Improves Quality of Life – Enhances comfort during and after radiation therapy

• Barrigel™ is made from biocompatible hyaluronic acid, a substance naturally found in the body.
• The procedure is safe, with complications being rare. In very uncommon cases, patients may experience temporary discomfort, swelling, or mild pain at the injection site.
• Barrigel™ may appear on pelvic imaging scans for up to 6 months; patients should inform their care team if they undergo additional imaging after placement.