Outcomes of transurethral resection (TUR) of intravesical mesh after suburethral slings in the treatment of urinary stress incontinence

Abstract

ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to determine the efficacy as well as the complications associated with transurethral removal (TUR) of intravesical mesh, after suburethral sling, transobturator tape-TOT (Monarc™) or “minisling” (MiniArc®), in the treatment of female urinary stress incontinence (USI). Materials and methodsA retrospective and consecutive study on 9 women with bladder perforation after midurethral slings (3 Monarc™ and 6 MiniArc®) placement for urinary stress incontinence. To remove the mesh, transurethral resection with an electrode loop (TUR-E) was used. The technique included location and total removal of mesh up to healthy tissue with bipolar resectoscope. ResultsThe median age was 61 years (49–70 years). The median time between midurethral sling placement and onset of the symptoms was 13 months (1–79 months) and between sling placement and mesh removal it was 16 months (1–91 months). Five women (55.5%) developed bladder stones. Mean operating time was 29.4±10.4min and mean length of hospital stay was 2.6±0.5 days. The median follow-up after mesh removal was 38 months (range, 14–109 months). No complications were found. ConclusionsThe use of transurethral resection of intravesical mesh after suburethral slings is easy and the results obtained by our surgical team are excellent.