Antibacterial mesh sling: a prospective outcome analysis

To prospectively assess the outcome results of the Gore-Tex antibacterial mesh sling in women with pelvic prolapse and stress incontinence.

Between July 1997 and November 1998, 30 women with stress incontinence and vaginal prolapse underwent vaginal reconstruction with the antibacterial mesh sling. All patients had documented stress incontinence by preoperative urodynamic evaluation. Postoperatively, we conducted an outcome analysis on the basis of the results from a self-reported satisfaction questionnaire, a detailed pelvic examination, a cough stress test, and the Q-tip test. Urodynamic studies were performed on patients with persistent stress incontinence or urge symptoms. Cystoscopy was performed on patients suspected of having urethral erosion.

Complete follow-up was available for all 30 patients. Of the group, 12 (40.0%) of 30 underwent implantation of the antibacterial mesh sling alone and 18 (60.0%) underwent additional prolapse repair. The mean follow-up was 18 months (range 9 to 24); mean age was 58 years (range 29 to 87). Stress incontinence was cured in 28 (93.3%) of 30 patients. De novo urge incontinence developed in 1 (5.2%) of 18 patients; urge symptoms persisted in 5 (41.7%) of 12 patients. The postoperative mean Valsalva Q-tip angle was 15 degrees (range 0 degrees to 25 degrees ). The incidence of urethral obstruction and erosion was zero. The mean postoperative pain score was 3 of 10 (range 0 to 6), and the mean satisfaction score was 9 of 10 (range 7 to 10). The mean time to discharge was 21 hours (range 6 to 29). All 30 women (100%) were willing to undergo surgery again.

The safety profile of the Gore-Tex antibacterial mesh is better than that of the conventional Gore-Tex sling. When meticulous surgical technique is used, excellent short-term results can be achieved in the correction of female stress incontinence.