Position of the Ibero-American Society of Neurourology and Urogynecology in relation to the use of synthetic suburethral meshes for the surgical treatment of female stress incontinence.

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to stablish de position of the Ibero-American Society of Neurourology and Urogynecology (SINUG) in relation to the use of suburethral meshes for the surgical treatment of female stress incontinence. Tension-free mid-urethral slings (MUS) have become the most popular procedure for the treatment of stress urinary incontinence (SUI). In July 2018, the British government announced a pause in the use of meshes for both pelvic organ prolapse (POP) and urinary incontinence (UI) treatment without differentiating whether the meshes were used for treating UI or POP. The decision was taken to stop their use until the publication of the updated UI and POP guidelines of the British National Health Service, which is available from April 2019. SINUG has reviewed the evidence and official position of different societies in relation to the safety and efficacy of MUS in the surgical treatment of incontinence differentiating them from meshes used to repair POP. Data from synthetic mesh manufacturers indicate that in 2010, 300 000 women underwent surgical procedures to repair POP and approximately 260 000 were operated on for SUI. According to these estimates, approximately more than 80% of the surgical techniques for UI treatment were performed transvaginally with meshes. Once reviewed evidence and position of different societies, the SINUG presents its vision in this communication, which is a summary of the document analysing the state of topic prepared by the society.