Urologische Klinik und Poliklinik, Johannes-Gutenberg-Universität, Langenbeckstrasse 1, 55131, Mainz, Deutschland,

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Tension-free alloplastic slings (TFAS) have revolutionized surgery for female stress urinary incontinence for more than 15 years. The procedure is easy to perform, minimally invasive with short operation time in an ambulatory setting, and has proven efficacy comparable to the gold standard procedure of retropubic colposuspension.Possible TFAS complications are potentially underestimated with respect to prevalence and manageability. We report our experience with major complications following TFAS and mesh implantation in patients referred to our interdisciplinary continence center. Patient history, risk factors, and preoperative diagnostics were analyzed for development of individualized treatment strategies.Overcorrections with formation of postvoid residual (PVR) can occur in retropubic TFAS as well as in transobturator TFAS. However, the most prevalent and challenging complication is de novo urgency. Major complications like urethrovaginal fistula, sling arrosions of the urethra, bladder, and vagina as well as infected gangrene and complete urethral loss requiring urinary diversion were seen at a frequency suggesting underrepresentation of these complications in the literature. The large amount of implanted artificial mesh material used for pelvic organ prolapse (POP) correction represents a particular challenge in cases of dyspareunia or persisting pelvic pain.Complication management has to be based on cystoscopic, urodynamic, and physical examination findings to be individualized to each patient and must take potential risks of recurrent incontinence or persisting complaints into account.To prevent TFAS or mesh complications, every patient should have tried all conservative treatment options and should be completely evaluated (including urodynamics) preoperatively. Artificial meshes should only be used in cases of prolapse recurrence or in otherwise inoperable patients. Postoperative urodynamics may help to document treatment success and to identify and quantify complications.

Article in German

Written by:
Hampel C, Naumann G, Thüroff JW, Gillitzer R.   Are you the author?

Reference:
Urologe A. 2009 May;48(5):496-509.
doi: 10.1007/s00120-009-1978-4

PubMed Abstract
PMID:19390837

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