Risk factors for rejection of synthetic suburethral slings for stress urinary incontinence: a case-control study

To identify variables associated with rejection of synthetic, suburethral slings used for female stress urinary incontinence.

Between 1991 and 1998, gynecologists at our department performed 428 operations for stress urinary incontinence by inserting expanded polytetrafluoroethylene or polyethylene suburethral slings. After suitable exclusions, 386 women followed for at least 24 months after surgery remained for analysis. Of the 386 women, 47 (12.2%) had graft rejection or symptoms associated with rejection within 24 months after surgery, which led to later removal. We compared cases and controls using logistic regression analyses with forward selection to identify independent risk factors and risk markers for rejection.

The rejection rate declined sharply during the years 1993-1994 after introduction of routines that included preoperative prophylactic antibiotics active against anaerobes and repeated preoperative treatment of the vagina with chlorhexidine acetate. After adjusting for potentially confounding variables, surgery after 1993, the gynecologist performing the procedure, and adequate antibiotic prophylaxis remained significantly associated with a lower rejection rate. There was no significant association between rejection and sling material, age at surgery, year of surgery (in one year steps), or concomitant prolapse surgery.

Rejection of suburethral slings might be associated with bacterial contamination of the graft, and the rate was decreased with prophylactic antibiotics a repeated and vaginal disinfection.