Extraperitoneal laparoscopic removal of eroded midurethral sling: a new technique.

PURPOSE: Erosion of a midurethral sling is common in women who are treated for stress urinary incontinence. This complication is usually managed by retropubic exploration. We report a novel technique to manage erosion in patients who refuse retropubic exploration.

PATIENTS AND

METHODS

Two women (ages 47 and 53 years) with stress urinary incontinence were treated with a midurethral sling. Postoperatively, at 24 and 22 months, respectively, the sling had eroded through the high urethra near the bladder neck. A three-port extraperitoneal laparoscopic approach was used to remove the urethral slings and repair the bladder.

RESULTS

The procedure was accomplished in 80 and 75 minutes, respectively, with no complications. Both patients remained continent.

CONCLUSION

A minimally invasive extraperitoneal surgical technique can be used to manage midurethral sling erosion in women.