Long-term surgical results of pubovaginal sling procedure using polypropylene mesh in the treatment of stress urinary incontinence

Introduction: Surgery for stress urinary incontinence ( SUI) in women might cure incontinence symptom but develop new problems. This study assessed the long-term outcome of pubovaginal sling procedure using polypropylene mesh in patients with SUI. Materials and Methods: A total of 108 patients with various types of SUI received pubovaginal sling procedure using polypropylene mesh. A surgical technique that did not create bladder outlet obstruction after operation was used in all the patients. Video urodynamic study was performed at baseline, 2 weeks and 3 months after operation. The long-term surgical results and patients' satisfaction were assessed. Results: The age of patients ranged from 33 to 94 years ( mean 62.6 +/- 12.0 years). The follow-up period ranged from 24 to 72 months ( median 46 months). Among the 108 patients, a successful result was noted in 92 (85.2%), including a continence rate of 65.7% and mild SUI in 19.4% of patients. Treatment failure was noted in 16 patients (14.8%), including 13 (12%) with urge incontinence and 3 ( 2.8%) with severe SUI that was cured by a second sling. There were 104 patients (96.3%) who could void volitionally with little residual urine, whereas 4 (3.7%) needed transvaginal urethrolysis. Urodynamic study revealed no significant changes in the mean values of parameters at 3 months after operation. However, 22 (20%) patients had an increase in voiding pressure by 50% at 3 months postoperatively. The reported satisfactory rate was 89.8%. Conclusions: Pubovaginal sling procedure using polypropylene mesh had a high success rate in all types of SUI. The continence rate was suboptimal, indicating that the absence of bladder outlet obstruction might result in inadequate urethral compression after pubovaginal sling procedure. Copyright (C) 2005 S. Karger AG, Basel.