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Sling

The objective of sling surgery is to reinforce support to the bladder neck and urethra while support to the bladder neck and urethra while supplementing urethral closure. Of all surgical approaches available, a sling offers the best long-term success.

A sling acts as a hammock beneath the bladder neck and urethra to support them against hyper mobility. At the same time, it offers a solid point against which the urethra is compressed to close more effectively.

Traditional sling surgery is rather involved, requiring an abdominal incision, a 1-2 day hospital stay and extended recovery time.

A minimally invasive technique has been developed, however, that achieves the same purpose while eliminating these drawbacks.

Using an innovative new technique a sling procedure can now be performed entirely through the vagina with no abdominal incision - or scar - involved.

A specially designed surgical device is placed in the vagina and positioned against the back of the pubic bone, above the roof of the vagina. Two miniature screws are then fully embedded in the bone on either side of the urethra using this device.

Sutures attached to the screws are used to tie up the ends of a 1" x 3" graft taken from your own body or obtained from a tissue bank. The sling bridges the distance between the two screws and forms a hammock just beneath the urethra. Nothing is left exposed in the vagina when the procedure is over.

The procedure can be completed in less than an hour with regional or general anesthesia; a hospital stay is not usually required. If a catheter is necessary for urine drainage, it is often removed within 1-2 days.

Over-the-counter medications like Advil or Tylenol generally suffice for pain relief. Strenuous physical activity should be avoided for 4-6 weeks after the surgery. Dr. Turrentine will provide you with additional information regarding preoperative and postoperative care.