A new,simple, safe,effective and cost-effective procedure for genuine stress incontinence: midurethral polypropylene sling

We developed a cost-effective procedure for genuine stress incontinence (GSI) that has the advantages of the tension-free vaginal tape (TVT). The midurethral polypropylene sling procedure (MPS) is carried out under local anaesthesia. A self-fashioned sling (7.5 x 1 cm) was created from a polypropylene mesh with two lengthening polypropylene sutures at the ends. The sutures are carried through the rectus fascia using a needle and the sling is placed around the urethra. Ten patients underwent the MPS and were followed up for a mean of 6.2 months. All patients were cured. The short-term results of the MPS were comparable to those of the TVT. The procedure costs approximately US dollar 9. We conclude that the MPS can be considered as an alternative to the TVT procedure.     

Simple sling resection and a second, intermediate polypropylene mesh for treatment of vaginal tape protrusion concurrent with recurrent urinary stress incontinence after TVT procedure

The tension-free vaginal tape (TVT) procedure is a simple, effective and minimally invasive method for the surgical treatment of urodynamic stress incontinence (USI). Yet, complications such as mesh protrusion and recurrent urinary leakages after TVT have been reported. A case of recurrent USI complicated with vaginal mesh protrusion following a TVT procedure was referred. Video-urodynamics and introital ultrasonography confirmed that the recurrence of USI was secondary to mal-position of the protruded TVT. A simple salvaging procedure was carried out. The mal-positioned distal protruded TVT was resected and a second intermediate piece of polypropylene (Prolene) mesh was replaced at mid-urethra. The operation time was short and blood loss was minimal. The patient was objectively continent at 6 months follow-up with no defect of healing. Considering the cost-effectiveness and invasiveness of the surgeries, the method of inserting an intermediate mesh is clinically useful.     

Tension-free vaginal tape procedure for treatment of USI: subjective and objective efficacy evaluation

Urinary incontinence is a frequent functional disease affecting 5% to 25% of women. It is commonly believed that urinary stress incontinence (USI) is caused by anatomical defects, thus it can be treated by restoring anatomy. More than 100 surgical techniques have been proposed for genuine stress incontinence treatment. The tension free vaginal tape procedure (TVT) for the treatment of genuine IUS in women was first reported in 1996 by Ulmsten et al. The purpose of this study was to evaluate objective and subjective efficacy of the TVT procedure in different types of female urinary incontinence. From February 2000 to December 2001, 52 patients with urinary incontinence underwent the TVT procedure in the Obstetric and Gynecology Department of Avezzano Hospital, Italy. No difference in the cure rates was found between patients undergoing the TVT alone or associated with anterior and/or posterior colporrhaphy. In accordance with many authors we can affirm that the TVT sling technique is easy to use, the time for surgery is relatively short, and the procedure is free of complications and provides a satisfactory outcome.     

Abdominal paravaginal defect repair in the treatment of paravaginal defect and urodynamic stress incontinence.

We evaluated the morbidity, complications and outcomes in 42 patients who underwent abdominal paravaginal defect repair (PDR) for vaginal wall prolapse due to a paravaginal defect and the prolapse of other pelvic organs. Out of a total of the 42 patients, 32 underwent PDR and concomitant pelvic reconstructive procedures, and 10 patients underwent PDR plus anti-incontinence surgery and concomitant pelvic reconstructive procedures. The mean patient age was 44.5 years. The mean follow-up period was 40 months. One bladder injury and two hemorrhages occurred intraoperatively. The cure rate of anterior vaginal wall prolapse was 92.9%. Of the 20 patients with urodynamic stress incontinence (USI) who underwent PDR alone, the rate of recurrence of USI was 20%; however, there was no recurrence in the 10 patients who underwent PDR plus the anti-incontinence procedures. Paravaginal repair is a safe and effective procedure for the surgical correction of a paravaginal defect, but has limited applicability in the surgical correction of USI.     

Short-term safety and effectiveness of tension-free vaginal tape (TVT) sling insertion for urodynamic stress incontinence alongside other gynaecological operations

The aim of this study was to assess the safety, effectiveness and pattern of inserting tension-free vaginal tape (TVT) slings alongside other gynaecological operations. It was a retrospective case note review of 116 patients who had a range of minor and major vaginal, laparoscopic and abdominal procedures at the same time as having TVT sling insertion at five district general hospitals in the UK. It showed an overall incidence of complications of 22.4% and laparotomy was not required. A patient had bladder perforation, another had blood transfusion, a third had infection at the site of needle passing, and three patients had urinary tract infection. The overall incidence of complications in this series was significantly higher in those having major concomitant surgery than in the total group. Although 9.5% of patients had catheters for more than a week, only two patients (1.7%) required prolonged intermittent self-catheterisation. Development of overactive bladder symptoms was reported by 8.5% of those who had pure urodynamic stress incontinence prior to surgery. Ninety-four per cent of patients were dry at 6 weeks. All major abdominal procedures were carried out under general anaesthesia prior to TVT sling insertion. A considerable variation was observed in operative and anaesthetic technique with all other concomitant procedures. These results demonstrated that TVT sling insertion alongside other minor and major gynaecological procedures did not undermine the safety or effectiveness of TVT sling insertion. Operative and anaesthetic practice varied considerably, calling for randomised controlled trials to provide evidence for best practice.     

Does patient weight influence the outcome of the tension-free vaginal tape procedure?

Urinary stress incontinence (USI) is more common in obese women. The influence of obesity on surgical treatment for USI is controversial. We sought to determine whether obesity affects the outcome of the tension-free vaginal tape (TVT) procedure. The retrospective data of 81 women that underwent the TVT procedure between 04/1998 and 12/2000 were studied. The study cohort women (aged 37–87 years) were subdivided into three groups according to body mass index (BMI): normal (BMI = <25)—group 1, overweight (BMI = 25–29)—group 2, and obese (BMI = >30)—group 3. All women underwent preoperative examinations, including detailed medical history and physical examination with stress tests and urodynamic studies. Follow-up included post-procedure check-up meetings at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months and once yearly thereafter (minimal follow-up = 52 months). Intra- and postoperative complications and success rates were compared among the three groups. Twenty-six (32.1%) women had normal BMI, 21 (25.9%) were overweight, and 34 (42%) were obese. Six intraoperative complications were recorded, including 5 bladder injuries and 1 urethral injury, none of which required surgical re-intervention. Eight reported postoperative complications included 1 bladder erosion, 3 urethral obstructions, 4 vaginal erosions (1 patient suffered from concomitant urethral obstruction and vaginal erosion). Five patients diagnosed with postoperative surgical complications underwent corrective surgery. There were no significant inter-group differences among the complication rates. The success rates were 84.6%, 81%, and 79.4% in groups 1, 2, and 3 respectively. Increased BMI may have a slight negative impact on TVT results, but the long-term success rate of 79.4% in obese women and the lack of any direct correlation between BMI and complications sanction their undergoing TVT.     

Outcome of midurethral tape continence surgery in patients with and without urodynamically confirmed stress incontinence

Objective

To compare the outcomes of midurethral tape continence surgery in patients with urodynamically confirmed stress incontinence (USI) and patients with symptoms of stress urinary incontinence but normal urodynamic studies (NUDS) and a positive 1-h pad test.

Study design

Analysis of data collected prospectively from 356 women who underwent tension-free vaginal tape (TVT) surgery from June 1998 to September 2009. There were 25 women with NUDS but a positive pad test. Outcome measures in these 25 women were compared with 65 women with urodynamically confirmed stress incontinence. These 65 women were chosen as suitable controls from the group of 331 potential controls. All the women underwent TVT surgery under local or spinal anaesthesia.

Results

The outcome measures were: (1) absence of stress urinary incontinence symptoms, (2) new occurrence of lower urinary tract irritative symptoms (LUTS), (3) persistent voiding dysfunction (VD), and (4) recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs). Following TVT, stress incontinence was absent in 100% and 97% of patients in the NUDS and USI groups respectively. The occurrence of LUTS was 4% and 4.6% in the NUDS and USI groups, while VD was found in 4% and 4.6% and recurrent UTIs in 8% and 6.1% of the groups respectively.

Conclusion

There were no significant differences in outcomes following TVT in patients with and without urodynamically confirmed stress urinary incontinence.     

Analysis of two sling procedures using polypropylene mesh for treatment of stress urinary incontinence.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate and compare the surgical outcome between the innovative tension-free vaginal tape (TVT) and conventional pubovaginal sling (PVS) procedures using polypropylene mesh. METHODS: Eighty consecutive women with urodynamic stress urinary incontinence (SUI), who chose to undergo either a TVT (n=23) or a PVS (n=57) procedure using polypropylene mesh based on financial consideration, were recruited for this study. The surgical results were analyzed and compared subjectively and objectively. RESULTS: The mean follow-up interval was 23 months for the TVT and 20 months for the PVS procedure (P=0.062). Postoperatively, SUI (91.3% vs. 93.0%), concomitant urge symptoms (85.0% vs. 85.3%) and the negative impact of incontinence and urogenital distress on patients' quality of life (79.8% vs. 77.8%) (77.4% vs. 68.8%) had improved markedly. After a multivariable logistic regression analysis, the treatment outcome of SUI was found to be independent of the main effects of patient age, parity, concurrent gynecological surgeries, intrinsic sphincter deficiency, previous failed incontinence surgeries, and concomitant urge symptoms. However, it was significantly related to treatment procedures (TVT vs. PVS) and their interaction with patient body mass index (BMI). Based on the fitted logistic model, we see that TVT performs better than PVS when BMI is less than 27.27 kg/m2, and the advantage of TVT decreases as BMI increases. CONCLUSION: Both TVT and PVS procedures using polypropylene mesh are effective treatment modalities for female SUI. However, TVT was not as effective in treating overweight or obese women as PVS.     

Which factors influenced the result of a tension free vaginal tape operation in a single teaching hospital?

BACKGROUND: Tension free vaginal tape (TVT) has proven to be successful. Nevertheless, complications of the TVT have been reported. The aim of this study was to describe factors that might influence the efficacy and safety of the TVT procedure in our clinic. METHODS: Medical records of all patients who underwent TVT surgery between 1 January 2001 and 1 May 2004 were reviewed. To achieve subjective follow-up, in 2004 and 2005, we sent all patients standardised validated questionnaires. Data were analysed with SPSS. RESULTS: A total of 198 TVT procedures were performed. In 75 cases (37.9%), the procedure was combined with vaginal prolapse surgery. Complications were found in 19.7% of all TVT procedures. Most patients (71%) returned the questionnaire. Median follow-up was 27 months (range: 9-49). Subjective success rate was 73%. Logistic regression analysis showed that success rate of the TVT procedure was not influenced by any of the factors we studied. Complications were not more common in patients who had undergone prior incontinence or prolapse surgery. Concomitant prolapse surgery with the TVT, however, was found to be the only risk factor for complications, mainly prolonged catheterisation. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, we found no factor that influenced the success rate of the TVT. In the literature, the experience of the surgeon is marked as a factor influencing the success rate. We, therefore, gradually reduced the number of gynecologists who perform TVT. Concomitant prolapse surgery, however, was shown to be an independent risk factor for complications. Therefore, we prefer to 'separate' prolapse and incontinence surgery.     

聚丙烯网片在女性全盆底功能重建中的应用

目的探讨应用聚丙烯网片在保留子宫的同时进行盆底重建的可行性和有效性。方法对同济大学附属同济医院妇产科2005年3月至2007年2月收治的66例有不同缺陷的女性盆腔器官脱垂患者应用聚丙烯网片进行全盆底悬吊,具体包括:采用聚丙烯网片悬吊双侧子宫主韧带、骶韧带,并将网片置入膀胱阴道筋膜和直肠阴道筋膜,同时进行肛提肌及会阴体的修复从而完成盆底3个平面的重建。合并有压力性或混合尿失禁的患者同时行尿道中段无张力悬吊术。结果手术时间平均为95min,出血量平均为120mL,根据POP-Q分度法,66例患者的子宫脱垂、阴道前后壁膨出等症状全部得到纠正,术后无院内感染发生,未观察到其它与手术相关的并发症。术后随访平均11个月,患者的盆底结构基本正常,相关症状消失或明显改善。结论应用聚丙烯网片进行全盆底悬吊是一种微创而又经济的盆底重建术,该手术在保留子宫的同时能完成全盆底结构和功能的全部或部分重建。中、短期疗效稳定,长期疗效有待进一步观察。     

Is osteitis pubis associated with the use of bone anchors in urinary continence operations?

We studied 130 patients who underwent either a vaginal needle suspension procedure or a pubofascial sling procedure with Mitek titanium bone anchors to determine the association of osteitis pubis with bone anchoring in these procedures. Fifteen patients complained of postoperative suprapubic pain; five cases were due to wound infections and another five were associated with tying the suspension sutures too tightly. We suggest the use of the term 'periostitis pubis' to describe the remaining five patients who suffered suprapubic pain. We found no radiological evidence of osteitis pubis in any patients.     

Urodynamic and clinical effects of transvaginal mesh repair for severe cystocele with and without urinary incontinence

Objective

To demonstrate the urodynamic and clinical effects of transvaginal polypropylene mesh repair (TVM) for severe cystocele with or without stress urinary incontinence (SUI).

Methods

One hundred women with severe cystocele who underwent transvaginal cystocele repair using a tension-free polypropylene mesh were included in a retrospective study. A simultaneous transobturator tape (TOT) procedure was performed in 24 patients with concurrent urodynamic stress incontinence (USI). Postoperative follow-up examinations included urodynamic testing, pelvic organ prolapse quantification, and urogynecologic questionnaire.

Results

Mean follow-up was 35 months (range, 13-68 months). At 3-6 months after surgery, 2 (8.3%) of the 24 patients with USI who had undergone TVM and TOT had persistent SUI. Of the 30 women with occult USI who had undergone TVM alone, 6 (20%) developed symptomatic SUI and 9 (30%) had asymptomatic SUI. Thirteen (28.3%) of the 46 patients without USI developed postoperative SUI. The 1-year results showed de novo SUI in 10 (10%) women, recurrent cystocele in 6 (6%), and mesh erosions in 5 (5%). Four (13.3%) of the 30 patients engaging in sexual activity had dyspareunia.

Conclusion

TVM is effective and safe in patients with severe cystocele, but may have an impact on voiding and sexual activity.     

压力性尿失禁不同手术方式治疗的临床效果分析

目的　分析应用阴道无张力尿道悬吊带(TVT)术、经闭孔尿道悬吊带(TOT)术、自体阔筋膜尿道悬吊(Lata)术,以及耻骨后库柏韧带悬吊(Burch)术治疗压力性尿失禁(SUI)术的临床效果。方法　回顾分析103例尿失禁并部分合并子宫、阴道脱垂患者行不同手术治疗的疗效,其中行TVT术53例,行TOT术16例,行Lata术19例,行Burch术15例。结果　术后3个月治愈率, 行TVT、TOT、Lata和Burch术的患者,分别为94% (50 /53)、94% (15 /16)、95% (18 /19)和87% (13 /15);手术时间分别为(28±7)、(16±5 )、( 125±13 )和( 43±6 )min;术后留置尿管时间分别为( 26±3 )、(3±1)、(120±6)和(72±5)h。手术并发症有膀胱穿孔,行TVT术患者2例;术后尿潴留,行TVT术患者1例,行Lata患者2例。结论　4种手术对治疗SUI均有相同的疗效;TVT术和TOT术为微创手术,术后患者康复快,住院和留置尿管时间短,可与子宫、阴道脱垂等手术同时进行;行Burch术可与经腹其他手术同时进行。     

The fascia lata suburethral sling for treating recurrent urinary stress incontinence

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the fascia lata suburethral sling procedure in the treatment of recurrent genuine urinary stress incontinence. STUDY DESIGN: This study was a retrospective analysis of 60 patients who had a suburethral fascia lata sling placement between January 1992 and December 1995. Follow-up ranged from 6 months to 3.5 years. The database was obtained by a retrospective chart review, a written questionnaire, and telephone interview. RESULTS: Between January 1992 and December 1995, 72 patients who had at least one previous incontinence procedure were assessed by urodynamic testing and cystourethroscopic examination before undergoing a fascia lata sling placement. Of this population, 60 were available for follow-up. Of this 60, 54, or 90%, had complete cure or marked improvement in the urinary incontinence. There were six failures, two of which had no bladder neck mobility and two of which had detrusor instability and were unable to take medication because of medical contraindications. In addition, two slings were sacrificed because of postoperative complications. The most common postoperative complication was urinary retention, which resulted in eight, or 13.4%, of slings needing to be released. CONCLUSION: Our data support the use of the suburethral fascia lata sling as an effective method for the treatment of recurrent genuine urinary stress incontinence, with urinary retention being the most common postoperative complication.(Am J Obstet Gynecol 1997;177:6)     

The techniques of trocar insertion and intraoperative urethrocystoscopy in tension-free vaginal taping: an experience of 600 cases

BACKGROUND: To determine the frequency of lower urinary tract (LUT) injury for stress incontinent women undergoing the tension-free vaginal tape (TVT) procedure with or without concomitant procedures. METHODS: Over a period of 5 years, 600 women who had stress urinary incontinence (SUI), with or without pelvic prolapse, consecutively underwent the TVT procedure either with or without concomitant surgery. All study subjects underwent intraoperative transurethral urethrocystoscopy. During the examination 34 (6%) women at high risk of ureteral injury also received intravenous injection of 6 mL of diluted methylene blue to observe the patency and function of the ureter as well as the integrity of the bladder. RESULTS: The mean patient age was 52.75 years (range 32-76) and mean parity was 2.54 (range 0-6). Of the 600 women, 188 (31.4%) had had previous surgery, 169 (28.2%) had concomitant surgery, and 9 (1.5%) had abnormal urethrocystoscopic findings. These findings included one case each of previously placed suspension sutures, granuloma-like tissue in the bladder, a delayed dye emission from the ureteric orifice, an adhesive band in the urethra, three cases of perforation of the bladder by the trocar and two cases of an area of thin bladder mucosa. The bladder perforation rate related to the TVT device was 0.8% (5/600). CONCLUSIONS: Based on the data of this 5-year review, and a high rate of bladder injury (0-25%) reported in the literature, intraoperative urethrocystoscopy is imperative in the TVT procedure, although the rate of bladder injury was only 0.8% in the present study.     

Sexual function and quality of life following retropubic TVT and single-incision sling in women with stress urinary incontinence: results of a prospective study

Purpose

The objective of this prospective cohort study was to compare effectiveness, morbidity, quality of life (QoL) and sexual function in women treated with tension-free vaginal tape (TVT) versus single-incision sling (SIS) in the treatment of female stress urinary incontinence (SUI).

Methods

Retropubic TVT sling or SIS was implanted in local anesthesia and patients were followed post-operatively for 6 months. Evaluation was performed to assess post-operative rate of continence, complications, changes in sexual function and patient reported quality of life. Female sexual function was evaluated before and after sling procedure using Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) in sexually active patients.

Results

From January 2009 to December 2011, 150 patients were enrolled and underwent a procedure to implant the retropubic TVT (n = 75) or the MiniArc^® and Ajust^® SIS (n = 75). Overall, 93.3 % of the patients who successfully received SIS demonstrated total restoration (84 %) or improvement of continence (9.3 %) at the 6 month post-operative study visit. In TVT group we found 88 % total continence and 6.7 % improvement, respectively. Improvements were seen in the QoL scores related to global bladder feeling (89.3 %) in SIS group and 96 % for TVT. Post-operative FSFI score improves significantly and were comparable in both groups (SIS pre-operative 24.30 ± 4.56 to 27.22 ± 4.66 (P < 0.001) post-operative; TVT 24.63 ± 6.62 to 28.47 ± 4.41, respectively).

Conclusions

The SIS procedure appears to be as effective in improving incontinence-related quality of life and sexual function as the TVT through 6 months of post-operative follow-up. No differences in complications and sexual function were demonstrated between the groups.     

An Inexpensive Polypropylene Patch Sling for Treatment of Intrinsic Sphincteric Deficiency

Study ObjectiveTo evaluate an inexpensive polypropylene sling in patients with intrinsic sphincteric deficiency (ISD).DesignCase series (Canadian Task Force classification II-2).SettingCleveland Clinic Florida teaching hospital.PatientsAnalysis of 161 patients with ISD who underwent a surgeon-assembled polypropylene (Prolene) patch sling procedure.InterventionPolypropylene patch sling surgery was performed in all study patients with urinary stress incontinence due to ISD.Measurements and Main ResultsAll patients underwent urogynecologic evaluation including multichannel urodynamics. Outcome measures included a standardized stress test, patient-reported cure rate, surgical complications, and postoperative voiding dysfunction. Medical records for the 161 patients who underwent the procedure were available for review. Mean patient age was 62.4 years. Twenty-five patients (16%) had concomitant detrusor overactivity. Mean follow-up was 3.6 years. The stress test yielded negative findings in 93.4% of patients. Complete continence was reported by 80.3% of patients, and marked improvement by 7%. The estimated cost of the sling was $17 to $272, depending on the materials used. Two patients experienced urinary retention requiring urethrolysis. Three required sling revision because of healing problems.ConclusionUse of a polypropylene patch sling is an effective treatment for ISD and is less expensive than currently available sling kits.     

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.     

The value of intraoperative cystoscopy in urogynecologic and reconstructive pelvic surgery

OBJECTIVE: Our goal was to evaluate the role of intraoperative cystoscopy during surgery for pelvic organ prolapse and urinary incontinence. STUDY DESIGN: Charts of 224 consecutive patients who had intraoperative cystoscopy performed after urogynecologic surgery were reviewed. RESULTS: Nine injuries occurred that were unsuspected before cystoscopy, for an incidence of 4%. Six ureteral ligations occurred, four after Burch cystourethropexy and two after vaginal culdoplasty. Intravesical sutures were noted after two Burch procedures, and another injury occurred with passage of fascia lata through the bladder during a pubovaginal sling procedure. Eight injuries were managed by removal and replacement of the suture or sling with only one requiring ureteroneocystotomy. When patients with injuries were compared with those without, there were no statistical differences in demographic or surgical parameters. CONCLUSIONS: The potential for damage to the lower urinary tract is significant with complex urogynecologic surgery. Because of the increased and delayed morbidity associated with unrecognized injury, intraoperative surveillance cystoscopy should be considered a part of all such procedures.(Am J Obstet Gynecol 1997;177:71)     

Patient goals after incontinence procedures: does the single-incision sling satisfy them?

Objective

This study was undertaken to describe short-term postoperative achievement of subjective preoperative goals for single-incision MiniArc slings, in comparison with tension-free vaginal tape (TVT).

Method

Patients submitted to mid-urethral sling (TVT and MiniArc) procedures for stress urinary incontinence (SUI) in two centers were included in this prospective study. Before surgery, the patients completed a preoperative open-ended questionnaire, in which they described their personal outcomes goals for SUI surgery and the degree of severity of their symptoms. At the first postoperative check, they were asked to assess the degree to which their goals had been met and the degree of postoperative incontinence symptoms; their grade of satisfaction was evaluated with IIQ-7, UDI-6 and a 0–10 visual analog scale.

Results

One hundred and eight patients (TVT n = 51, MiniArc n = 57) were included in this study. Incontinence symptom relief and improvement of quality of life were the most commonly described preoperative goals. Six to eight weeks after surgery, 47 patients (92.1%) after TVT and 53 (92.9%) women after single-incision slings were objectively cured (P = 1). After surgery, more than 90% of the patients in both groups achieved their preoperative goals. Symptom scores improved significantly and were comparable in both groups.

Conclusion

Our results show that self-reported achievement of preoperative goals of patients submitted to single-incision slings are comparable at the first follow-up with patients who have undergone the classic mid-urethral sling.