Biomaterials in the treatment of pelvic organ prolapse and stress urinary incontinence: An update

Abstract

Pelvic reconstructive surgeons use biomaterials in many surgical techniques for various indications. Synthetic meshes and biologic grafts have been incorporated in the surgical treatment of pelvic organ prolapse. These materials are also used to correct stress urinary incontinence in men and women. In women, suburethral slings are placed via a number of techniques (retropubic, transobturator) to provide support and facilitate urethral coaptation. In men, support is achieved through mechanical compression and membranous urethra elongation. Recent innovations include a transobturator sling for male stress urinary incontinence, suburethral mini slings for female stress incontinence, and transvaginal mesh to treat pelvic organ prolapse. However, available data on newer techniques are short-term and lack prospective studies and case reports are beginning to emerge describing rare, though serious, complications unique to these newer techniques.