Complications of silicone sling insertion for stress urinary incontinence.

PURPOSE: A pilot study was performed to evaluate the suitability of silicone as a substance for suburethral sling placement. Using rectus sheath for sling placement can be time-consuming and can result in increased morbidity. Adjustable synthetic materials of consistent strength are available. Silicone has previously been used successfully and was chosen for this trial.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

Slings were inserted in 7 women with stress urinary incontinence. Of the patients 3 had a history of continence surgery and presented with reduced vaginal mobility, and 2 who had not previously undergone continence surgery had intrinsic sphincter deficiency.

RESULTS

In all women stress urinary incontinence was subjectively cured. However, after 7 slings were inserted the study was terminated due to a high complication rate related to erosion and sinus formation in 5 slings which were removed. Complications developed immediately or up to 11 months after sling insertion. Continence was maintained in 4 of the 5 women after the slings were removed.

CONCLUSIONS

Silicone is an inappropriate material for suburethral sling placement when used as described in our cases, caution should be exercised when placing silicone slings at this site.