Externally readjustable device to regulate sling tension in stress urinary incontinence: preliminary results.

Background And Purpose: Slings, especially those called "tension free," have low complication rates and good long-term success rates. However, they still have problems with either an excess or a lack of tension, which produces voiding difficulties or urinary leakage persistence, respectively. The effectiveness of a new adjustable sling for the treatment of stress urinary incontinence (SUI) has been evaluated.

Patients And Methods: Between November 1999 and May 2002, 113 consecutive patients were operated for SUI by means of a new adjustable sling. The results were analyzed retrospectively. The average follow-up time was 22 months (range 6-36 months).

Results: Objective success was achieved in 108 of 113 patients (95.5%), but subjectively, only 90.3% of the patients were completely satisfied with the procedure because of persistent urge incontinence in 6 cases (5.3%). Morbidity was minimal.

Conclusions: This new minimally invasive treatment allows readjustment of sling tension at the immediate or mid-term postoperative period. It is applicable to primary and recurrent SUI and has shown encouraging results.