Midurethral slings for stress urinary incontinence: a urogynecology perspective

Abstract

Stress urinary incontinence (SUI), the involuntary leakage of urine associated with an increase in intraabdominal pressure (coughing, laughing, and sneezing), affects 12.8% to 46.0% of women. SUI is the most common type of urinary incontinence in women younger than 60 years and accounts for at least half of incontinence in all women. Retropubic and transobturator midurethral sling procedures are safe and effective treatments for stress urinary incontinence but have different complication profiles. History, examination, and additional testing may assist in choosing the correct sling type. Appropriate counseling and managing patient expectation are necessary to optimize patient satisfaction.