[Comparative study among autologous and synthetic slings in the treatment of stress urinary incontinence].

AIM: Procedures to correct stress urinary incontinence (SUI) are designed to restore support of the urethrovescical junction and, in cases of intrinsic sphinteric dysfunction, improve the coaptation of the urethra. Voiding dysfunction and urinary retention are frequent complications of both urethropexy and urethral sling. Guatelli et al. reported a 8.5% obstruction rate following autologous sling procedure, while the obstruction rate after polypropylene sling meshes procedures was 3.7%. The aim of this study was to compare the success and bladder outlet obstruction (BOO) rates following sling procedure for SUI with two different mesh materials, synthetic versus autologous.

METHODS

A prospective study was carried out between July 1995 and December 1995 at the Department of Urology, University of Campinas Medical Center.

RESULTS

The median time between the anti-incontinence procedure and the diagnosis of BOO was nine months (3-96 months). All obstructed patients suffered from refractory urgency/frequency syndrome with varying postvoid residual volume. Our experience showed that autologous pubovaginal slings were statistically more obstructive than synthetic ones.

CONCLUSION

Autologous and synthetic slings presented comparable success rates in treating SUI. However, BOO was more frequent among patients who underwent autologous sling procedure.