Could infiltration anesthesia decrease anchor-fixation quality of midurethral slings in the obturator complex?

Area of Science:

• Urology
• Biomedical Engineering
• Surgical Research

Background:

• Single-incision midurethral slings (SIMS) are still used in some regions due to the option of local anesthesia.
• Concerns exist regarding the efficacy of SIMS, potentially linked to anesthesia's effect on anchor fixation.
• This study investigates the impact of local infiltration anesthesia on SIMS anchor fixation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate how local infiltration anesthesia affects the fixation strength of SIMS anchors in the porcine obturator complex.
• To quantify the reduction in anchor fixation force due to local anesthesia.

Main Methods:

• A biomechanical study using porcine obturator complex.
• Implant anchors were subjected to extraction force testing.
• Anchors were tested with and without local infiltration anesthesia.

Main Results:

• Local anesthesia reduced anchor fixation strength by 47% compared to no anesthesia.
• Average extraction force without anesthesia was 8.28 N.
• Average extraction force with anesthesia was 4.40 N.

Conclusions:

• Local infiltrative anesthesia significantly decreases anchor fixation in the porcine obturator complex.
• Findings suggest local anesthesia may compromise the stability of single-incision midurethral slings.