title: Female urinary stress incontinence.
abstract: Urinary incontinence (UI) is more common than any other chronic disease, such as hypertension, depression or diabetes, with the prevalence estimated between 9 and 74%. Among the various forms of urinary incontinence, stress incontinence (SUI) is the most prevalent (50%), with urgency incontinence (UUI) representing 11% and mixed type (MUI) 36% (3% not classified). Nowadays, the restoration of urinary continence is one of the greatest challenges for the well-being and quality of life of women. The introduction of minimally invasive surgical procedures changed the anti-incontinence surgery, leading to similar, or even better results as traditional, invasive techniques. The development of the mid-urethral slings offers a viable alternative to surgical correction of SUI. These further developments of mini-sling procedures are appropriate for local anesthesia, less traumatic, 'tension-free' (to ensure continence without obstruction), simple, rapid and repeatable. The latest minimally invasive approaches can be performed in day surgery, with clear advantages compared to traditional procedures. A novel approach through the use of vaginal laser techniques could represent an additional opportunity, as a non-invasive, outpatient method to treat SUI.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Women's Health and New Life , Catholic University , Rome , Italy.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cervigni
authors.affiliation: b * Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology , Pisa University Hospital , Pisa , Italy.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gambacciani
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011788:Quality of Life; D053825:Suburethral Slings; D014521:Urethra / Q000503:physiopathology; D001743:Urinary Bladder / Q000503:physiopathology; D014550:Urinary Incontinence, Stress / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D014563:Urodynamics
keywords: ERBIUM LASER; GENITOURINARY SYNDROME OF MENOPAUSE; MENOPAUSE; MINI-INVASIVE TREATMENT; URINARY INCONTINENCE; URINARY STRESS INCONTINENCE