title: Comparison of the outcomes of the sling technique using a commercial and hand-made polypropylene sling.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare the outcomes and costs of stress urinary incontinence (SUI) surgery using a hand-made sling (Marlex®) versus a commerciallyavailable suburethral polypropylene sling (Advantage®).
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-nine women with SUI due to bladder neck hypermobility and/or sphincter incompetence diagnosed by clinical examination and urodynamic studies were divided into two groups: group 1 (n = 19) consisted of patients from an academic center (Department of Urology, University Hospital of Federal University of Maranhao, and group 2 (n = 20) patients from private practice. The hand-made polypropylene suburethral sling was used in group 1 and the commercial sling in group 2. The patients were evaluated 30, 60 and 90 days after surgery.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean duration of surgery was 43 min. in group 1 and 51 min. in group 2. No postoperative voiding difficulties were observed in group 1 (100%), as well as, in 94.7% of patients of group 2. A bladder catheter was not required in any of the patients of the two groups at the end of the study. The level of satisfaction was 100% in group 1, whereas, one patient of group 2 considered the surgery to be unsuccessful. Urodynamic studies showed low amplitude uninhibited contraction in 11.1% of patients of group 1 and 10.5% of group 2. No complications were observed in either group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The hand-made polypropylene mesh (Marlex®) can be used for sling procedures, saving costs and yielding results similar to that obtained with commercial sling systems.
authors: Post-Graduation Program for Maternal Child Health, Federal University of Maranhão - Brazil. ppgsmin@ufma.br
authors: Luciane Maria Oliveira
authors: LM
authors: Brito
authors: Antonio de Pádua Silva
authors: Ade P
authors: Sousa
authors: José Albuquerque
authors: JA
authors: de Figueiredo Neto
authors: Thaiana Bezerra
authors: TB
authors: Duarte
authors: George do Lago
authors: Gdo L
authors: Pinheiro
authors: Maria Bethânia da Costa
authors: MB
authors: Chein
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001938:Brazil; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011126:Polypropylenes / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D053825:Suburethral Slings / Q000191:economics*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014550:Urinary Incontinence, Stress / Q000601:surgery*
chemical_list: D011126:Polypropylenes