title: The role of bladder neck suspension in the era of mid-urethral sling surgery.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Mid-urethral slings are currently considered to be the gold standard for the surgical treatment of stress urinary incontinence, replacing bladder neck suspension techniques which previously occupied this position. In recent years, however, there have been concerns with regard to the use of synthetic material in vaginal surgery.
  
  
  METHODS
  We performed a review of the literature to discuss the role of bladder neck suspension techniques in the current clinical setting.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Bladder neck suspension techniques consist of vaginal techniques, needle suspension techniques and retropubic techniques. The latter two techniques have been proven to offer durable outcomes for stress urinary incontinence. As compared to autologous slings, the long-term success rates may be considered inferior, but so is the rate of complication, resulting in higher patient satisfaction. Bladder neck suspension techniques may have a role in treating recurrent and/or persisting stress urinary incontinence after (failed) sling surgery and remain of particular interest in patients with stress urinary incontinence when performing concomitant surgery, for example for prolapse.
authors.affiliation: Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, Charing Cross Hospital, Fulham Palace Road, London, W6 8RF, UK.
authors.forename: T G
authors.initials: TG
authors.lastname: Rashid
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: De Ridder
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Van der Aa
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D053825:Suburethral Slings; D014550:Urinary Incontinence, Stress / Q000601:surgery*; D013520:Urologic Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*