Single-incision sling system as primary treatment of female stress urinary incontinence: prospective 12 months data from a single institution

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the success and complication rates for Mini-Arc(TM) single incision sling in the treatment of female stress urinary incontinence (SUI).

Materials and methods: A total of 119 female patients with pure SUI were enrolled in a prospective study. From these, 105 were available with a minimum follow-up of 6 months and a mean follow-up of 12 months. Success, as determined by patient- reported outcomes, and complication rates, as well as impact of learning curve, body mass index (BMI), intrinsic sphincter deficiency (ISD), incontinence severity and age were investigated.

Results: Cure rate was 80% and improvement rate was 11%. Pain intensity was minimal on a visual analogue scale and transient urinary retention occurred in three patients, one requiring sling section. De novo urgency was reported by 6% of women. Severe incontinence was less likely to be cured: 70% if >5 pads per day (ppd); 94% if <2 ppd; 94% if 2-4 ppd, P < 0.05). There was no difference in success rates between the first 50 and the last 50 patients. BMI, ISD and age also did not influence success rate.

Conclusion: Mini-Arc™ attained high success rates at 1 year follow-up. The procedure was easy to learn and was associated with very low and mild morbidity. Severe incontinence was identified as a risk factor for failure.