title: Endoscopic holmium laser excision of intravesical tension-free vaginal tape and polypropylene suture after anti-incontinence procedures.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We report on our technique of endoscopic excision of intravesical tension-free vaginal tape procedure and polypropylene sutures using the holmium laser following various anti-incontinence procedures.
  
  
  METHODS
  Three patients who previously underwent the tension-free vaginal tape, Burch colposuspension and Stamey vesicopexy, respectively, presented with a range of symptoms including hematuria, recurrent urinary tract infection, frequency, urgency and urinary incontinence. Patients were evaluated with history and examination, and all 3 were found to have nonabsorbable intravesical material.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was obvious encrustation over the eroded polypropylene material within the bladder. A 365 microm tip firing holmium laser fiber was inserted through the working channel of the flexible cystoscope. The tape and sutures were successfully excised using a holmium laser output of 1.0 J per pulse at a rate of 10 Hz. Mean operative time was 15 minutes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Holmium laser excision of intravesical polypropylene tape or suture is a minimally invasive solution to the problem of intravesical perforation or erosion following anti-incontinence procedures.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Mid-Western Regional Hospital, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland.
authors.forename: Subhasis K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Giri
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Drumm
authors.forename: Hugh D
authors.initials: HD
authors.lastname: Flood
mesh_terms: D004724:Endoscopy; D005260:Female; D006695:Holmium; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy; D008875:Middle Aged; D011126:Polypropylenes; D019736:Prostheses and Implants; D013537:Sutures; D014550:Urinary Incontinence, Stress / Q000601:surgery*
chemical_list: D011126:Polypropylenes; D006695:Holmium