Double forced sling by combining in situ vaginal wall and Infast pubic bone suburethral stabilization techniques: a new method.

Abstract

We evaluated the results and effectiveness of the double forced sling by combining in situ vaginal wall and Infast (Influence, Inc., San Francisco, California) pubic bone suburethral stabilization techniques as a new method. The new technique was used in 40 patients, of whom 32 completed 2 years of followup. Previous surgery included hysterectomy in 8 cases, anterior and posterior vaginal wall repair in 6, and 1 or 2 incontinence procedures in 24. Types 2, 3 and mixed incontinence were diagnosed in 12, 12 and 8 patients, respectively. With this technique a gelatin coated synthetic sling was fixed to the previously prepared vaginal sling surface with watertight stitches to create a doubled forced sling, which was fixed to the pubic bone with 2 screws using an Infast inserter. Patient outcomes were evaluated by questionnaire analysis and the pad test. The cure, improvement and failure rates were 81.25%, 6.25% and 12.5% in the 32 patients who completed 2 years of followup. Surprisingly successful results were achieved in all 24 secondary cases. Moderate cystocele in 4 patients and rectocele in 8 were corrected simultaneously. Temporary urinary retention in 4 patients resolved in 2 weeks. Of the 32 patients 28 reported that they would repeat the procedure and recommend it to others. The double forced sling has 2 advantages that make it superior to other techniques, namely a minimal complication rate and enhanced support accomplished by an easy and noninvasive technique.