Extraperitoneal laparoscopic removal of eroded midurethral sling: a new technique.
OBJECTIVE
Erosion of a midurethral sling is common in women who are treated for stress urinary incontinence. This complication is usually managed by retropubic exploration. We report a novel technique to manage erosion in patients who refuse retropubic exploration.


METHODS
Two women (ages 47 and 53 years) with stress urinary incontinence were treated with a midurethral sling. Postoperatively, at 24 and 22 months, respectively, the sling had eroded through the high urethra near the bladder neck. A three-port extraperitoneal laparoscopic approach was used to remove the urethral slings and repair the bladder.


RESULTS
The procedure was accomplished in 80 and 75 minutes, respectively, with no complications. Both patients remained continent.


CONCLUSIONS
A minimally invasive extraperitoneal surgical technique can be used to manage midurethral sling erosion in women.
Rehman
Jamil
J
Department of Urology, State University of New York, Stony Brook Health Sciences Center, Stony Brook, New York 11794-8093, USA. jarehman@notes.cc.sunysb.edu
Chugtai
Bilal
B
Sukkarich
Troy
T
Khan
S Ali
SA
D020878:Device Removal / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010537:Peritoneum; D011475:Prosthesis Failure; D053825:Suburethral Slings / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001745:Urinary Bladder Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D014550:Urinary Incontinence, Stress / Q000601:surgery*