The midurethral polypropylene sling for stress incontinence: 22-month results of 81 patients

Objective The objective was to review a cost-effective procedure called the midurethral polypropylene sling (MPS) in the treatment of urodynamic stress incontinence (USI).Study design A self-fashioned sling (7.5×1 cm) was created from a polypropylene mesh with two lengthening polypropylene sutures at the ends. The sutures are carried through the rectus fascia by a special needle carrier. The sling is placed around the urethra and its sutures are tied on the fascia. The procedure was performed on 81 patients. Of these patients, 73 had USI. The remaining 8 patients with uterine prolapse, who did not have USI, underwent the MPS prophylactically. Of 81 patients, 35 underwent the MPS alone, 46 underwent the MPS and abdominal or vaginal procedures.Results Three patients had bleeding in excess of 300 ml necessitating a vaginal tamponade. One had hematoma and the other underwent a laparotomy. Urinary retention for more than 3 days was observed in 6 of the patients who had the MPS alone, in 7 of the patients who had both MPS and abdominal procedures, and in 13 of the patients who had MPS with vaginal procedures. The sling was cut in 3 patients due to persistent urinary retention. Of 73 patients with USI, 70 were completely cured (95.9%) at a mean of 22 months follow-up.Conclusion The cure rates and complications of the MPS were comparable to those of the tension-free vaginal tap (TVT) procedure for the treatment of USI. The procedure costs about US$ 9. We conclude that the MPS can be considered as an alternative to the TVT procedure.