The Bladder Neck Sling: What Role Remains?

Abstract

A decade ago, bladder neck slings were recognized as the gold standard technique for a majority of patients. Today, tension-free vaginal tape is widely accepted as the standard approach for index surgery in female stress urinary incontinence. Recently published articles have demonstrated a decrease in the use of bladder neck slings and a significant increase in the use of mid urethral synthetic slings. Currently, bladder neck sling procedures appear to confer a cure rate similar to open retropubic colposuspension and mid urethral sling procedures, but the long-term adverse event profiles are still unclear. Although, bladder neck slings remain in the armamentarium of pelvic surgeons, they are reserved mainly for pediatric patients and for complex patients at high risk for urethral damage, with recurrent urinary incontinence and with low-pressure urethras, as well as for the patients who may refuse having synthetic slings. This article reviews the role of bladder neck slings in the era of the midurethral slings.