A new approach for the management of bladder injury in retropubic slings: one side transobturator/ one side retropubic sling.

The aim of this study was to establish a new management modality for bladder perforation during retropubic slings. In 2013, among 102 retropubic slings, there were five bladder injuries. All procedures were performed by one of the fourth year residents under direct supervision of experienced surgeons. Bladder perforation was detected in cystoscopic examination. In the bladder perforated side, tape was retracted and placed by transobturator approach and the Foley catheter remained in place for seven days. Demographic features, preoperative urodynamic examination, and preoperative and postoperative life quality questionnaires (IIQ-7 and UDI-6) were recorded. The mean age of the patients was 44 ± 2.5 years and body mass index was 29.4 ± 1.7 kg/ m2. Mean parity was 2.8 ± 1.8 and all the patients delivered with vaginal route. None of the patients were in menopause. Of the five bladder perforations, 40%(2) occurred on the right side, 60%(3) on the left side. All the surgeons were right handed. All patients underwent other vaginal reconstructive procedures like anterior colporraphy and posterior colporraphy. None of the patients had previous anti-incontinence surgery. Mean follow-up was 10.2 ± 2.4 months. All patients had negative stress tests and improvement in IIQ-7 and UDI-6 at postoperative sixth month. There was no postoperative voiding dysfunction in any of the patients. If bladder perforation occurs in patients who undergo retropubic sling, the tape can be placed by transobturator approach in the bladder perforated side.