[Functional retrourethral sling. A change of paradigm in the treatment of stress incontinence after radical prostatectomy]

Abstract

The ever rising number of radical prostatectomies entails an increasing number of patients suffering from postoperative stress incontinence. Several minimally invasive techniques exist as surgical intervention options. All these procedures are based on an obstruction of the urethra. The functional retrourethral sling is a new and innovative sling suspension, which offers for the first time a non-obstructive functional therapeutic approach. The sling adjusts the changed anatomy after radical prostatectomy and exerts its effect by repositioning the lax and descended supporting structures of the sphincter in the former preoperative position. Thus continence can be achieved again. The success rate of this new technique is very good, yielding good results regarding both improving incontinence and continence rate. This new technique is secure and the results are reproducible.