Use of suprapubic tube to assess voiding function after synthetic midurethral slings.

INTRODUCTION

Up to 50% of patients are unable to void immediately after midurethral sling (MUS) procedures. The objective of this study was to present our case series of use of suprapubic tube (SPT) to assess voiding function after MUS procedures.

METHODS

This was a retrospective cohort study of patients who underwent MUS procedures along with insertion of SPT between January 2007 and August 2010.

RESULTS

A total of 123 patients were identified. Among the patients who met criteria for SPT removal within 4 weeks, the mean number of days of SPT use was 6 (4.6) days. One major complication involved a urinoma after SPT removal.

CONCLUSION

The use of SPT after MUS procedures is practical. In our cohort of patients, it took up to 1 week for voiding function to return to normal.