Comparison of long-term outcomes of autologous fascia lata slings with Suspend Tutoplast fascia lata allograft slings for stress incontinence

OBJECTIVE: This study was undertaken to compare the objective and subjective long-term surgical outcomes in patients receiving Tutoplast fascia lata allograft slings with those receiving autograft slings for the treatment of stress urinary incontinence (SUI). STUDY DESIGN: We reviewed all patients (n = 71) undergoing suburethral sling with either autologous fascia lata (n = 39) or Tutoplast fascia lata (n = 32) for urodynamic stress incontinence (USI) from October 1, 1998, to August 1, 2001. RESULTS: Of the original 71 patients, 47 were evaluated by objective and/or subjective means at a minimum of 2 years after surgery. Subjective quality of life measures, subjective continence, maximum urethral closure pressure, and bladder neck mobility were not different between the 2 groups. USI was demonstrated in 41.7% of allograft patients compared with no autograft patients (P = .007). CONCLUSION: Although patient reported cure of SUI is high for both sling types, USI recurs at a significantly higher rate in Tutoplast slings compared with autologous slings.     

Minimally Invasive Autologous Fascia Sling at the Midurethra: A Case Series

Study ObjectiveThe primary objective was to determine the improvement in stress urinary incontinence symptoms using autologous fascia lata sling placed at the midurethra. The secondary objective was to determine the presence of leg pain after harvest of fascia lata graft.DesignCase series.SettingRural academic tertiary care center.PatientsAll women who underwent an autologous fascia midurethral sling over a 1-year period between June 2019 and September 2020.InterventionsAutologous fascia lata midurethral sling.MeasurementsIncontinence severity index, urodynamic distress inventory-6, and Likert pain scale.Main ResultsNineteen women received an autologous fascial sling at the midurethra using the described technique—16 fascia lata and 3 rectus fasciae. Mean improvement in incontinence severity index score was 6 points. Mean improvement in urodynamic distress inventory-6 and SUI subscale scores was 14 and 53, respectively, surpassing the minimally important difference for each. Median follow-up time was 9 months (range 2–16). Leg pain at the harvest site was bothersome in 1 patient beyond 6 weeks. Median time to passing voiding trial was 4 days (range 1–13 days). Four patients (21%) had postoperative voiding dysfunction, 3 of which resolved after sling loosening at a mean of 60 days after sling placement.ConclusionMidurethral autologous fascial sling placement significantly improves symptoms of SUI but carries a risk of voiding dysfunction. Harvesting fascia lata using a fascial stripper is associated with minimal postoperative morbidity.     

The fate of rectus fascia suburethral slings

OBJECTIVE: Autologous rectus fascia is commonly used to construct suburethral slings for the treatment of genuine stress incontinence. This fascia performs well and has not been associated with clinical problems related to its choice as a sling material. However, the histologic appearance of such slings after implantation has not been documented. STUDY DESIGN: At the time of revision of autologous rectus fascia suburethral slings in 5 patients, biopsy specimens of the slings were obtained and submitted for histologic examination. A specimen of rectus fascia before implantation was also obtained from a sixth patient who had no symptoms. RESULTS: After implantation autologous rectus fascia slings remain viable. There is fibroblast proliferation, neovascularization, and remodeling of the graft. No evidence of inflammatory reaction or of graft degeneration was detected. A linear orientation of connective tissue and fibroblasts was seen in some areas, whereas other areas had remodeled to form tissue similar to noninflammatory scar. CONCLUSION: Autologous rectus fascia slings undergo extensive remodeling after implantation.     

Effect of Preoperative Voiding Mechanism on Success Rate of Autologous Rectus Fascia Suburethral Sling Procedure

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of the rectus fascia suburethral sling procedure and to determine whether preoperative voiding caused by the Valsalva maneuver is a risk factor for short-term objective failure.Methods: This study is a retrospective chart review of 50 patients who underwent the suburethral sling procedure with rectus fascia at our institution between March 1994 and August 1996. All patients had genuine stress incontinence with intrinsic sphincteric deficiency or urethral hypomobility. Preoperative multichannel urodynamics were measured in all patients, and postoperative urodynamic testing was done at 3 months in 48 patients.Results: Ninety-four percent of patients were cured subjectively of stress urinary incontinence at 3 months. Objective cure was found by urodynamic measurements in 73% of the 48 patients who underwent postoperative testing. There was an increased risk of objective failure in patients whose voiding preoperatively was caused by the Valsalva maneuver. Objective failure was found at 3 months in 54% of the 13 patients in the Valsalva group, compared with 17% of the 35 in the non-Valsalva group (P = .011). Patients in the Valsalva group also tended to have longer durations of postoperative catheterization than did patients in the non-Valsalva group (P = .049).Conclusion: The rectus fascia suburethral sling procedure appears to be an effective operation for the treatment of genuine stress incontinence in carefully selected patients. However, patients who are identified preoperatively as voiding because of the Valsalva maneuver have a higher failure rate for this procedure.     

The fascia lata sling procedure for treating recurrent genuine stress incontinence of urine

The fascia lata sling procedure has been used over the past 22 years in our unit for treating recurrent urinary stress incontinence when irreparably poor local support tissues were suspected. Sixty-nine patients had undergone one previous operation to correct urinary stress incontinence. One hundred one patients had two or more previous operations. The cure rate for the condition of genuine stress incontinence has been 100% in the last 148 cases and 98.2% overall. However, the cure rate for the symptom of urinary stress incontinence was 92.4%. There were only three sling failures in the entire series, occurring in the first 22 cases. Ten other patients had urinary incontinence with stress because of motor urge incontinence. The most troublesome postoperative problem has been delayed voiding.     

The Mersilene mesh suburethral sling: A clinical and urodynamic evaluation

OBJECTIVES: Our purpose was to determine the efficacy and safety of the Mersilene (Ethicon, Inc., Somerville, N.J.) mesh sling.STUDY DESIGN: A total of 110 women diagnosed at the University of Massachusetts Medical Center with recurrent genuine stress incontinence, low-pressure urethra, or chronically increased intraabdominal pressure underwent a Mersilene mesh sling procedure. The women were followed up with yearly clinical and 1-year urodynamic evaluations. Sixty-seven patients had both preoperative and postoperative complete urodynamic evaluations. Paired t test was used except where stated.RESULTS: Seventy-nine of 83 patients (95%) who were examined at a mean of 15 months reported complete stress continence. Objective cure rate (n = 72) by 1-year postoperative stress test was 93%. The pressure transmission ratio increased from 75% to 112% (p < 0.0001). The mean number of days to normal voiding was 10. Three women have long-term difficulty with retention. Erosion of the vaginal sling site occurred in two women, one of whom required removal (0.9%).CONCLUSIONS: The suburethral sling with Mersilene mesh is a safe, effective treatment for specific types of genuine stress incontinence on the basis of yearly clinical and 1-year urodynamic follow-up, and it demonstrates a low rejection rate.     

A suburethral sling procedure with polytetrafluoroethylene for the treatment of genuine stress incontinence in patients with low urethral closure pressure

One indication for suburethral sling procedures has been recurrent genuine stress incontinence after previous incontinence surgery. Patients with low urethral closure pressures (20 cm H2O or less) in association with genuine stress incontinence are at particular risk for failure of standard anti-incontinence procedures. Urodynamic evaluation was used to select 17 patients with genuine stress incontinence and low urethral closure pressures for surgical treatment with a sling procedure using polytetrafluoroethylene. The technique of the procedure, cure rate, and postoperative complications were assessed. An 85% subjective and objective cure rate was found on urodynamic testing three months postoperatively. Complications included wound seroma, urinary tract infection, and urinary retention.     

Modified suburethral sling procedure for treatment of recurrent or severe stress urinary incontinence.

The most suitable material used to perform suburethral sling procedures for recurrent or severe stress urinary incontinence remains controversial. A comparison was made between two commonly used materials, synthetic Gore-Tex (expanded reinforced polytetrafluoroethylene) and autologous fascia lata. Both groups showed improved urethral pressure profiles postoperatively, but there was no difference in the magnitude of change between groups. The objective cure rate at six months for the Gore-Tex group was 100.0 versus 87.5 percent for the fascia lata group (p = 0.155). While there was no statistical difference between the incidence of de novo detrusor instability or length of postoperative bladder drainage (p = 0.104 and p = 0.978, respectively), there was a trend toward more postoperative complications of urinary obstruction in the Gore-Tex group.     

Protective effect of suburethral slings on postoperative cystocele recurrence after reconstructive pelvic operation

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the independent effect of suburethral sling placement on the risk of cystocele recurrence after pelvic reconstructive operation. STUDY DESIGN: One hundred forty-eight women with cystoceles to or beyond the hymenal ring underwent pelvic reconstructive operation, with or without incontinence procedures, and were evaluated at 12 and 52 weeks after operation with a standardized pelvic examination. Rates of recurrent prolapse, at all sites, were statistically compared between subjects with and without suburethral slings. A multiple regression analysis was used to determine the independent effect of sling placement on the risk of recurrent cystoceles. RESULTS: Suburethral sling placement was associated with a 54.8% reduction in the mean rate of postoperative cystocele recurrence (P =.004). This protective effect was observed as early as 12 weeks and remained significant at 1-year follow up (42% vs 19%). A markedly reduced risk of cystocele recurrence was observed when women with sling procedures were compared with all other women, with those women who underwent other incontinence operations, and even with those women who had undergone prolapse repair with no incontinence procedure. The protective effect of the sling procedure remained highly significant (odds ratio, 0.29; P =.0003), even after controlling for potentially confounding variables in a multiple logistic regression model. CONCLUSION: Suburethral sling procedures appear to significantly reduce the risk of cystocele recurrence after pelvic reconstructive operation, in contrast with the effect of retropubic urethropexy and needle suspensions. These findings should be considered when the surgical treatment of stress incontinence that accompanies pelvic organ prolapse is being planned.     

Fascia lata urethrovesical suspension for recurrent stress urinary incontinence

Although the physiologic mechanisms of normal micturition in the female subject are not fully understood, it is generally believed that urinary continence is maintained by a competent urethrovesical neck. Unfortunately, the patient who has had multiple operations for recurrent stress urinary incontinence often has a urethra that is shortened and fixed in scar tissue. In such patients, anterior colporrhaphy with operative release of the periurethral fibrosis and plication of the endopelvic fascia to create a functionally more normal urethrovesical junction will increase the chances for good results. A fascia lata support of the proximal 1 to 2 cm of the urethra ensures continued elevation of the urethra and with stress the sling provides a pulling-up effect. Fifty patients with a suburethral sling procedure are presented in detail. Forty-seven of these patients had a total of 121 prior operative procedures for stress urinary incontinence. Urologic studies are outlined. Forty-two patients (84%) were continent postoperatively, five were improved, and three had failures. Operative technique and complications are discussed.     

阔筋膜悬吊术用于治疗女性压力性尿失禁

目的探讨自体阔筋膜吊带行尿道悬吊术治疗女性压力性尿失禁的疗效和安全性。方法对13例压力性尿失禁伴子宫脱垂及阴道前后壁膨出的患者,取自体大腿外侧阔筋膜条作为吊带,经下腹阴道联合切口,行尿道近端悬吊术,同时行阴式全子宫切除及阴道前后壁修补术,平均随访30个月。结果13例患者均获得治愈,无阴道出血、感染、排斥反应等并发症发生。5例患者在术后出现轻度、暂时性排尿困难,1个月内症状消失。结论自体阔筋膜吊带行尿道悬吊术是治疗女性压力性尿失禁的安全有效术式。     

Sling distress: a subanalysis of the IVS tapes from the SUSPEND trial

AIM: To study the incidence of erosions and tape infections following the use of intravaginal slingplasty (IVS) treatment for stress urinary incontinence after the SUSPEND trial period of 30 months. This subanalysis was carried out because of concerns regarding high percentage of delayed sling erosions and infections during follow up of the patients who participated in the trial. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The subanalysis patient group consisted of all IVS patients drawn from the SUSPEND randomised control trial that compared the safety and efficacy of three types of suburethral slings, TVT, SPARC and IVS, for the treatment of urodynamic stress incontinence. RESULTS: A total of 62 patients were reviewed during this study conducted from April 2002 to May 2003. Continence was achieved in 88% the patients. A total of eight (13%) sling erosions were found requiring sling removal. Forty-eight (77.4%) patients were followed up at 12 months with one case of erosion (1.7%). Twenty-nine (46.8%) of the 62 patients were followed up between 12 and 34 months, and seven cases of sling erosions were diagnosed. One patient had purulent suprapubic sinus, five patients had foul-smelling discharge, and one had recurrent urinary tract infection associated with pain and discharge. After the slings were removed the patients had no further symptoms. However, three of them had recurrent stress urinary incontinence. DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION: The delayed presentation of the sling erosion from this subanalysis is a concern, and pelvic reconstructive surgeons using IVS need to be aware of the delayed presentations we found in our cohort of patients.     

Suburethral slingplasty evaluation study in North Queensland, Australia: the SUSPEND trial

OBJECTIVE: To compare the safety and efficacy of three types of suburethral slings for the treatment of urodynamic stress incontinence. METHODS: Following ethics approval, 195 (3 x 65) patients with urodynamic stress incontinence were randomly assigned to undergo suburethral slingplasty with the Tension-free Vaginal Tape (TVT; Gynecare, Ethicon, Somerville, NJ, USA), Intravaginal Sling (IVS; Tyco Healthcare, Mansfield, MA, USA), or Suprapubic Arc Sling (SPARC; American Medical Systems, Minnetonka, MN, USA). The patients were blinded to the type of sling implanted. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES WERE: (1) operative and short-term complications; (2) pre- and postoperative symptomatology; and (3) pre- and postoperative urodynamic findings. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant increased rate of sling protrusion (13.1% vs. 3.3% and 1.7%; P = 0.04) in the SPARC group when compared to TVT and IVS. Otherwise, there were no significant differences between the groups with respect to the incidences of other operative complications, patients' main subjective outcomes, satisfaction rates, or postoperative urodynamic findings. The overall objective stress incontinence cure rates were 87.9%, 81.5% and 72.4% for the TVT, IVS, SPARC groups respectively (P = 0.11). CONCLUSIONS: All three slings appear quite successful for the treatment of stress incontinence. The SPARC tapes showed more sling protrusion complications and a trend towards lower objective cure rates; probably as a result of the insertion method used in this study which favoured a loose SPARC sling placement. The authors recommend that the SPARC slings be left tighter than TVT, or for the cough test to be carried out.     

Complications of urethral sling procedures

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To review the current literature on complications of suburethral slings used to treat stress urinary incontinence in the female. RECENT FINDINGS: The surgical treatment of female urinary incontinence has changed considerably since the development of the tension-free vaginal tape procedure, introduced by Ulmsten in 1995. As the follow-up for the first studies is now more than 5 years, the 'long-term' results of the technique can be evaluated. Furthermore, now that the learning phase has been completed and the technique can be considered to be well mastered, it is interesting to review the complications inherent in this technique, their frequency, including those rarer complications that are sometimes associated with severe morbidity, and to consider the ways in which these complications can be prevented or treated. The development of the tension-free vaginal tape procedure has not prevented the development of other types of suburethral sling, but on the contrary, has promoted the development of these alternatives by the use of various sling insertion techniques, and especially various types of materials. There has even been a renewed interest in materials that have been known for a long time (heterologous and autologous materials) in some recent papers, and new synthetic suburethral slings have been proposed with the objectives of combining low morbidity, safety and efficacy. SUMMARY: Monofilament polypropylene meshes can be used safely to perform suburethral slings and seems to be the most suitable material in this indication according to the existing literature.     

Autologous Fascial Slings for Surgical Management of Stress Urinary Incontinence: A Come Back

Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) is a common type of urinary incontinence adversely affecting the quality of life of women. For mild SUI, life style changes, pelvic floor exercises and medical treatment with duloxetine may help. Most patients of moderate to severe SUI usually require surgical treatment. Various surgical treatment options include Kelly’s plication, Burch colposuspension, bulking agents and sling surgeries. Although, suburethral fascial slings including the autologous rectus fascia slings were in vogue before 1990, they were overtaken by minimally invasive, faster and easier artificial midurethral slings (tension free vaginal tape and transobturator tape). However, observation of serious long-term and life changing complications of synthetic midurethral slings like mesh erosion, chronic pelvic pain and dyspareunia led to their adverse publicity and medico legal implications for the operating surgeons. This led US FDA (Food and Drug Administration) to issue a warning against their use. Currently, their use has significantly decreased in many countries, and they are no longer available in some countries. This has led to renaissance of use of natural autologous fascial sling, especially rectus fascia for surgical management of SUI. Although performing rectus fascia sling surgery is technically more challenging, takes longer, has more short-term morbidity like voiding dysfunction, their long-term success is high with very little risk of serious complications like mesh erosion, chronic pelvic pain and dyspareunia. However, multicentric trials and longer follow ups are needed before it’s routine recommendation This review discusses the role of autologous fascial sling (especially rectus fascia) for the surgical management of SUI in the current time and the need of ongoing training of this procedure to gynecology residents and urogynecology fellows.     

A minimally invasive technique for relaxing overtentioned midurethral slings

Midurethral slings for stress urinary incontinence are effective surgical treatment with substantial rate of postoperative urinary retention. Different operative procedures ranging from urethrolysis to midline sling incision have been described to correct these cases. In this letter, we describe a minimally invasive technique for loosening overtensioned midurethral slings.     

Sling operations in the treatment of stress urinary incontinence: how to adjust sling tension

AIM: To find an objective method of adjusting sling tension in order to avoid postoperative urinary obstruction. METHODS: Thirty-five female patients with type II/III and type III stress urinary incontinence were treated using a sling procedure. Pubovaginal fascial slings were implanted in 20 patients and polytetrafluoroethylene patch slings with nylon sutures were implanted in 15 patients. During the procedures the urinary bladder was partially full and the patients, who were under spinal or epidural anesthesia, were asked to cough and strain. The proper tension that effectively prevents urine leakage was selected and the corresponding suture length was marked. An objective new method to adjust sling tension was used. As part of this method, the abdominal bulge index is added to the suture length before tying. RESULTS: Short-term follow-up of 6-12 months showed that 33 of 35 patients reported no leakage of urine (94%). Two patients had unsatisfactory urge incontinence. We did not encounter postoperative urinary retention in any patient. No significant post-voiding residual urine was reported. None of our patients in this series have complained of difficulties during micturition or the need to strain during voiding. CONCLUSION: Proper adjustment of sling tension using the abdominal bulge index has eliminated postoperative urinary retention and obstructed urine flow, including any appreciable amount of post-voiding residual urine. This method has been found to be both objective and reproducible.     

Cabestrillo suburetral regulable con prótesis REMEEX. Resultados 1999-2004

Objetive

To analyze our results after several colpourethropexy interventions using a suburethral readjustable sling with the application of the REMEEX^® prosthesis for the treatment of stress urinary incontinence.

Material and method

We prospectively analyzed all surgical patients treated in our Urogynecology Unit from March 1999 to December 2004. The total number of patients who underwent surgery was 123. The patients were followed-up at 45 days, 3 months, 6 months and 1 year after the intervention. The mean length of follow-up was 35 months. All the patients except five had genital prolapse (surgical grade) associated with urinary incontinence (stress or mixed). The five remaining patients had recurrent stress incontinence after previous unsuccessful techniques (Marshall-Burch).

Results

The mean age was 60.5 years (CI 95%: 39-87). The mean body mass index was 30.8 (CI 95%: 21.7-41.3). Cystometry was performed in all surgical patients; 69% were classified as having genuine stress incontinence and 31% as having mixed incontinence. The mean operating time was 72 minutes (CI 95%: 40-210), and the mean hospital stay was 6 days (CI 95%: 3-18).Currently, all the patients have a negative stress test. Of these, 93.1% report they feel completely cured, 5.2% find themselves to be much better and 1.7% reported a slight improvement. None of the patients developed postsurgical obstruction or de novo incontinence.Postoperative complications consisted of 18 urinary infections (14.6%) and the remainder were abdominal wound complications: subcutaneous hematomas in 3 patients (2.4%) and surgical wound infection in 13 patients (10.5%).

Conclusions

We believe that the REMEEX^® system (readjustable suburethral sling) should be the technique of choice in the treatment of stress incontinence (genuine or mixed) associated with genital prolapse.     

Analysis of retropubic colpourethrosuspension results by suburethral sling with REMEEX prosthesis

OBJECTIVE: To describe the results after colpourethropexy with a REMEEX prosthesis in the treatment of stress urinary incontinence with associated genital prolapse. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective analysis of all patients treated in our Urogynaecology Unit between November 2000 and March 2001. RESULTS: There were 29 patients with mean age of 62 and mean body mass index of 28. All but one patients had stress incontinence (genuine or mixed) associated with a genital prolapse. The other patient was a failed past technique (Marshall-Burch). Cystometry was performed in 80% of the patients. Of these 93% had genuine stress incontinence and 7% mixed incontinence. The average operating time was 119min (CI: 60-310), and the mean hospital stay 5 days (CI: 3-13). There was one case of severe haemorrhage during surgery, four cases of wall seroma and one postoperative urinary infection. Concerning patient satisfaction, 90% of our patients felt they were cured, 8% were much better and 2% had a slight improvement. No patient had a worsening of symptoms after surgery. CONCLUSION: We propose colpourethropexy by suburethral sling with a REMEEX prosthesis as suitable treatment for stress incontinence with associated genital prolapse.     

Surgical management of recurrent stress urinary incontinence: A 12-year experience

Objective: The goal of the study was to evaluate the surgical procedures used to manage recurrent stress urinary incontinence in a tertiary referral center, to compare the procedures with respect to efficacy and failure rates, and to identify risk factors for failure. Study Design: The health records of patients who underwent surgical treatment of recurrent stress urinary incontinence performed by the senior author (H.P.D.) between 1984 and 1995 were reviewed. The objective cure rate was evaluated by means of urodynamic studies and physical assessment, and the subjective cure rate was determined by means of historical report. In light of our selection criteria, the time to failure, the number of previous anti-incontinence procedures needed to give the best cure rate, and the risk factors for failure of the 3 predominantly used surgical techniques were determined. The statistical methods used were the χ² test with 95% confidence interval, the Cox proportional hazard model with logistic regression, and survival analysis. Results: One hundred ninety-eight female patients were surgically treated for recurrent stress urinary incontinence between January 1, 1984, and December 31, 1995. Four surgical techniques were used: (1) the combined abdominovaginal (2-team) polypropylene (Marlex; Phillips Petroleum Company, Bartlesville, Okla) sling (group 1, n = 70), (2) the modified urethral Marlex sling (group 2, n = 68), (3) Burch retropubic colpourethropexy (group 3, n = 49), and (4) suburethral Marlex sling (group 4, n = 11). The study population consisted of 118 patients. The rest of the original 198, including all the patients in group 4, were excluded. Objective and subjective cure rates of 69% and 89%, 66% and 96%, and 69% and 88% were calculated for groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively. By 6 years after the operation 100% of the failures in groups 1 and 2 had occurred, and 88% of the group 3 failure occurred within 2 years after the operation. Cure rates of 77%, 73%, and 38% (P = .320) were achieved with the 2-team sling procedure (group 1) after 1, 2, and 3 previous anti-incontinence operations, respectively, whereas cure rates of 81%, 25%, and 0% (P = .001) were obtained with the Burch procedure (group 3) after 1, 2, and 3 previous anti-incontinence operations, respectively. This indicates that the Burch procedure should be avoided after >1 previous operation, whereas the 2-team sling can be used after ≥3 previous anti-incontinence procedures. Statistical significance could not be determined for group 2 because that procedure was not used to treat any patient with 3 previous operations. Age was a marginal risk factor for failure in group 1. No statistically significant risk factors were identified for group 2. The number of previous anti-incontinence procedures was the major risk factor for failure in group 3 when age, parity, gravidity, weight, hormone replacement therapy, number of previous anti-incontinence procedures, and urethral closure pressure were covariables. Conclusion: According to our data, both sling procedures and Burch retropubic colpourethropexy can be used to surgically manage recurrent stress urinary incontinence with selection criteria such as those that we used. In our opinion comparative prospective studies of different surgical techniques with similar selection criteria, long-term follow-up of ≥10 years, and the inclusion of urodynamic studies may be the most ethical way to determine the right operations for recurrent stress urinary incontinence. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 1999;181:1296-309.)