title: Female incontinence:  long-term results of slings.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Several different sling procedures are currently in use and most of them are newly developed. Despite the fact that they are widely in use, knowledge about their long-term efficacy, morbidity, and functional sequeal is scarce. The aim of the present review is to provide an update of several different procedures.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The tension-free vaginal tape is the best studied and documented procedure with excellent long-term outcome data and low rates of complications. Tension-free vaginal tape appears to be followed by significantly higher objective cure rates than transobturator tape. Concerning comparison of different types of transobturator tape, no significant differences were found so far. Minislings still need to be evaluated concerning long-term safety and efficacy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Tension-free vaginal tape and transobturator tape are equally effective; for assessment of new approaches, surgical long-term data are mandatory.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Kaiser Franz Josef Spital, Vienna, Austria. stefanheidler@ymail.com
authors.forename: Stefan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Heidler
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D053825:Suburethral Slings; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014550:Urinary Incontinence, Stress / Q000601:surgery*; D013520:Urologic Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation*