Enhancing the autologous fascial sling procedure: A novel fixation method for treating stress urinary incontinence in female patients.

Background: Synthetic mid-urethral sling surgery has long been the standard surgical treatment for stress urinary incontinence (SUI) worldwide. Using an autologous fascial sling is an alternative to reduce adverse events. We evaluated the treatment outcomes of a novel fixation method applied to the autologous transobturator fascial (TOF) sling procedure for female patients with SUI.

Methods: A retrospective study was conducted between 2017 and 2020, including 33 patients with SUI who underwent mid-urethral TOF sling surgery with the novel fixation method. We used a self-locking feature (V-LOC™) that was fixed to each side of skin layer above the obturator foramen, and the tension of the fascia sling was adjusted by manipulating the V-LOC™ suture. We analyzed all data collected through questionnaires, including Urinary Distress Inventory-Short Form (UDI-6), Incontinence Impact Questionnaire-Short Form (IIQ-7), Overactive Bladder Symptom Score (OABSS), and Clinical Global Impressions of Improvement (CGI-I). Adverse events were also recorded.

Results: This study included 33 female patients aged 39 to 79 (mean 59.76 years). Following the procedure, there was a significant reduction in the total scores of UDI-6, IIQ-7, and OABSS (preoperative 9.73 ± 4.35, 10.21 ± 5.79, 6.06 ± 4.03 and postoperative 3.52 ± 3.41, 0.85 ± 3.67, 3.06 ± 2.90, respectively) ( p < 0.001). Further analysis of each sub-score of the questionnaires revealed significant improvement in certain symptoms. The mean total score of CGI-I was 2.00 ± 0.80. The maximum flow rate was documented for 18 patients, and no significant reduction was observed after the procedure ( p = 0.804). Complications reported included voiding dysfunction in two patients (6.1%), inguinal pain in one patient (3.0%), and mild delayed wound healing in one patient (3.0%).

Conclusion: This modified TOF sling surgery with a novel fixation method by V-LOC™ suture offers feasibility and adjustability as its main advantages. Our study demonstrated significant improvements in patient outcomes.