Complications of silicone sling insertion for stress urinary incontinence

Purpose: A pilot study was performed to evaluate the suitability of silicon e as a substance for suburethral sling placement. Using rectus sheath for s ling placement can be time-consuming and can result in increased morbidity. Adjustable synthetic materials of consistent strength are available. Silic one 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 pre sented with reduced vaginal mobility, and 2 who had not previously undergon e continence surgery had intrinsic sphincter deficiency. Results: In all women stress urinary incontinence was subjectively cured. H owever, 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 s lings were removed. Conclusions: Silicone is an inappropriate material for suburethral sling pl acement when used as described in our cases, caution should be exercised wh en placing silicone slings at this site.