Pubic bone suburethral stabilization sling: laparoscopic assessment of a transvaginal operation for the treatment of stress urinary incontinence.

Abstract

The objective was to examine laparoscopically the mechanism and precision of a new transvaginal method for fixation of a suburethral stabilization sling prosthesis designed for the treatment of recurrent stress urinary incontinence. Nine patients with recurrent stress urinary incontinence after previous anti-incontinence surgery underwent transvaginal placement of a pretrimmed 2.0 x 5.5 cm synthetic pubic bone suburethral stabilization sling prosthesis with pubic bone anchors. Before the sling fixation sutures were tied, the space of Retzius was opened laparoscopically with an operative laparoscope, and sling placement was assessed. Patients were followed up postoperatively at routine intervals. All nine procedures were accomplished uneventfully and as planned. Laparoscopic surveillance demonstrated that bone anchor placement by palpation was accurate and that low-tension sling fixation necessitated 2.0- to 2.5-cm suture bridges between the lateral sling edges and the pubic bone anchors in all cases. Continence was restored in all cases; two patients experienced mild, transient urinary retention; one patient experienced transient detrusor instability. No significant postoperative complications were noted. Low-tension pubic bone suburethral sling placement requires suture bridging of approximately 2.0 to 2.5 cm per side when a prosthesis 5.5 cm long is employed.