title: The Gore-tex sling procedure for female sphincteric incontinence: indications, technique, and results.
abstract: We constructed a pubovaginal sling using the Gore-tex Soft Tissue Patch and 2-0 polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) suspension suture and placed it in 122 consecutive incontinent women with urethral hypermobility and/or intrinsic sphincter deficiency. We performed a retrospective outcome analysis using a questionnaire-based telephone survey. The mean follow-up period was 24.4 months. Stress incontinence was cured in 88% of patients (equally effective in type II and type III incontinence), de novo postoperative urinary frequency occurred in 32% of cases, and preoperative urinary frequency resolved postoperatively in 51% of patients. Significant urinary obstruction occurred in 5% of patients. Vaginal granulation tissue with exposed sling occurred in 4% of patients. There was no urethral or bladder erosion. The treatment of female stress incontinence with a PTFE sling is effective and durable with minimal complications. Furthermore, this technique addresses many of the presumed technical shortcomings of endoscopic needle suspensions.
authors.affiliation: Urodynamics and Incontinence Center, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA 02215, USA.
authors.forename: D R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Staskin
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Choe
authors.forename: D S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Breslin
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D011138:Polytetrafluoroethylene; D019736:Prostheses and Implants; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013536:Suture Techniques; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014521:Urethra / Q000601:surgery; D014550:Urinary Incontinence, Stress / Q000601:surgery*; D014621:Vagina / Q000601:surgery
chemical_list: D011138:Polytetrafluoroethylene