An update on slings

The aim of this article is to review the year's literature on the treatment of female incontinence with suburethral slings.

The use of slings to treat female stress urinary incontinence has had resurgence with new surgical techniques. The tension-free vaginal tape created in 1996 was the basis of most of the studies performed over the past year. The device was compared with more traditional surgical techniques as well as new techniques such as the trans-obturator tape. In addition the tension-free vaginal tape was examined in women with pelvic organ prolapse and older in age. The complications of the device are well known and several studies recounted these with an attempt to predict patients who will have success. Modifications to surgical technique are described to improve patient results as well as further analysis of outcomes with post-surgical urodynamic-based studies.

The majority of papers center on the tension-free vaginal tape and comparing other methods of incontinence surgery with the tape's success. With 7-year data, the device has secured its place in the treatment of female stress incontinence. Newer methods are being explored and are now compared with the tension-free vaginal tape's outcomes.