[Sling-plasty in therapy of female urinary incontinence]

Traditionally, women with type III stress incontinence (intrinsic sphincter deficiency) are treated with sling procedures, which have undergone multiple modifications during the last 90 years regarding surgical approach, sling course, and materials. The latest variation of the established sling concept is the tension-free vaginal tape (TVT) procedure. The choice of sling material influences the postoperative complication rate and reveals a conflict between unrestricted availability (alloplastic material) and optimal tissue compatibility (autologous material). Although valid information about the surgical outcome of sling procedures is rare, at least some evidence-based conclusions may be drawn from the meta-analysis of the published data: sling procedures and colposuspensions are more efficient and more durable than needle suspensions or anterior repairs in the treatment of female stress incontinence. The complication profile does not show a significant difference between slings and colposuspensions. The lack of long-term results for the TVT procedure precludes any definite assessment of this innovation. In any case, to meet the patient's interests, no surgical approach for correction of stress incontinence should be undertaken without complete diagnostic evaluation of the problem.