Externally readjustable device to regulate sling tension in stress urinary incontinence: preliminary results.
OBJECTIVE
Slings, especially those called "tension free," have low complication rates and good long-term success rates. However, they still have problems with either an excess or a lack of tension, which produces voiding difficulties or urinary leakage persistence, respectively. The effectiveness of a new adjustable sling for the treatment of stress urinary incontinence (SUI) has been evaluated.


METHODS
Between November 1999 and May 2002, 113 consecutive patients were operated for SUI by means of a new adjustable sling. The results were analyzed retrospectively. The average follow-up time was 22 months (range 6-36 months).


RESULTS
Objective success was achieved in 108 of 113 patients (95.5%), but subjectively, only 90.3% of the patients were completely satisfied with the procedure because of persistent urge incontinence in 6 cases (5.3%). Morbidity was minimal.


CONCLUSIONS
This new minimally invasive treatment allows readjustment of sling tension at the immediate or mid-term postoperative period. It is applicable to primary and recurrent SUI and has shown encouraging results.
Sousa-Escandón
Alejandro
A
Service of Urology, Comarcal Hospital of Monforte, Lugo, Spain. alejandrosousa@hotmail.com
Lema Grillé
Jose
J
Rodríguez Gómez
José Ignacio
JI
Rios Tallón
Luis
L
Uribarri González
Carlos
C
Marqués-Queimadelos
Antonio
A
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control; D012086:Reoperation; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013514:Surgical Procedures, Operative; D014550:Urinary Incontinence, Stress / Q000601:surgery*; D014554:Urination