What is a urethral sling procedure?

Urethral sling surgery, also called mid-urethral sling surgery, is done to treat urinary incontinence. A sling is placed around the urethra to lift it back into a normal position and to exert pressure on the urethra to aid urine retention. The sling is attached to the abdominal (belly) wall.

What is a suprapubic sling?

A pubovaginal sling is a synthetic hammock-like device that is wrapped underneath the urethra to stop urine leakage.

How long does a bladder sling usually last?

Bladder suspension surgery works well to treat stress incontinence in most cases. Success rates for open retropubic suspension surgery range from 85%-90%. But, the effects do not last forever. Symptoms can return over time, usually after five years.

Is a bladder sling done vaginally?

The doctor makes one small surgical cut (incision) inside your vagina. Another small cut is made just above the pubic hair line or in the groin. Most of the procedure is done through the cut inside the vagina. The doctor creates a sling from the tissue or synthetic material.

Why would a woman need a bladder lift?

A bladder lift, also known as bladder suspension surgery or colposuspension, is used to help treat stress incontinence. Stress incontinence is urine leakage when there’s increased pressure in your abdomen during actions like coughing, sneezing, or lifting heavy things.

What to expect after bladder sling surgery?

Your body will have to undergone a seep incision to insert the sling,which can be painful.

What happens after bladder sling surgery?

In a recent article in the New England Journal of Medicine the two year success rate of slings for stress incontinence was 66%. After sling surgery, some patients develop new onset bladder over-activity, which can lead to urge incontinence, or leakage of urine associated with a sudden, irrepressible need to urinate.

How long does bladder sling last?

The placement is important because if it’s too loose, urinary incontinence can continue and if it’s too tight, the urethra may not completely empty. For this procedure, the incisions will heal in approximately one week to 10 days, but there are continuing limitations for up to three months.

What are the complications of bladder sling surgery?

Sling surgery is associated with predictable, yet often unavoidable complications; intraoperative complications include bleeding and urethral or bladder injury. Postoperative complications can include sling extrusion and erosion, osteitis and osteomyelitis, urinary retention and voiding dysfunction, and recurrent urinary incontinence.