Autologous graft for treatment of midurethral sling exposure without mesh excision.
BACKGROUND
The midurethral sling is an effective treatment for stress urinary incontinence. Mesh exposure is a known complication of this procedure, with an associated rate of approximately 4%. Other than sling excision, there is minimal information on other options that may help to preserve an effective sling when an exposure has occurred.


METHODS
A patient presented with a mesh exposure 9 weeks after a retropubic midurethral sling. Conservative treatment with vaginal estrogen failed, as did primary reclosure in the operating room. She was then successfully treated with a full-thickness autologous vaginal epithelium graft.


CONCLUSIONS
We report an alternative surgical option to mesh excision, which may help preserve an otherwise effective midurethral sling complicated by mesh exposure.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Urogynecology and Reconstructive Pelvic Surgery, Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA. peterjeppson@gmail.com
Peter C
PC
Jeppson
Vivian W
VW
Sung
D000328:Adult; D004848:Epithelium / Q000637:transplantation*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011475:Prosthesis Failure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D053825:Suburethral Slings / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014621:Vagina / Q000601:surgery*