Materials used in the treatment of stress urinary incontinence by suburethral sling.

Suburethral sling is a classical method of surgical repair of femal stress urinary incontinence (SUI). Initially reserved for SUI due to sphincter inc ompetence, this method now appears to be indicated for other types of SUI. A large number of organic and synthetic materials have been used in publish ed series. The long-term functional results reported in the literature vary between 65 and 98%, regardless of the materials used. Some of the complications observed are specific to the type of material. Sy nthetic slings appear to be associated with a higher complication rate. It is too early, based on data of the literature, to determine the real role o f Prolene tape (TVT).