Cadaveric versus autologous fascia lata for the pubovaginal sling: Surgical outcome and patient satisfaction

Purpose: We report our initial experience with cadaveric fascia lata in pub ovaginal sling procedures. Materials and Methods: We compared 121 consecutive women who underwent a sl ing procedure using cadaveric fascia lata from February 1997 through June 1 999 (group 1) with 46 consecutive women who underwent a sling procedure usi ng autologous fascia lata from May 1994 through July 1997 (group 2). Results: Mean followup was longer in group 2 (44 versus 12 months). A total of 104 of the 121 group 1 patients (86%) responded to the questionnaire, o f whom 85% were cured of stress incontinence, 83% reported overall improvem ent in urinary control and 74% had no or minimal leakage not requiring pads . Median catheterization time was 9 days (range 4 to 120). Overall 89% of t he women were satisfied with the results and 83% would recommend this surge ry. A total of 30 of the 46 group 2 patients (65%) responded to the questio nnaire, of whom 90% were cured of stress incontinence, 90% reported overall improvement in urinary control and 73% had no or minimal leakage not requi ring pads. Median catheterization time was 14 days (range 6 to 180). Overal l 90% of the women were satisfied with the results and 83% would recommend this surgery. Conclusions: Cadaveric fascia lata pubovaginal slings appear to be safe. Ea rly experience suggests that cadaveric fascia lata may be considered an alt ernative to autologous fascia. Cadaveric and autologous fascia lata appear to have a high success rate.