Mid-term complications after placement of the male adjustable suburethral sling: a single center experience

Abstract

Purpose: In recent years various sling systems have been proposed as a successful treatment option for male stress urinary incontinence. Reports about complication rates and failures are still scarce.

Materials and methods: We systematically reevaluated 29 male patients who received an Argus® suburethral sling for stress urinary incontinence between October 2006 and July 2007.

Results: Overall 24 patients (83%) experienced a total of 37 complications at a median followup of 35 months (range 29 to 45), including 10 (35%) in acute urinary retention. The sling was removed in 10 patients (35%) due to urethral erosion (3), infection (2), system dislocation (2), urinary retention (2) and persistent pain (1). Eight men (27%) complained of significant perineal pain, necessitating continuous oral analgesics. In 1 patient ureteral reimplantation was done due to ureteral erosion from a dislocated sling. At followup only 5 men (17%) remained dry while 21 (72%) were dissatisfied with the clinical outcome. No available clinical variables were statistically significantly associated with any grade or high grade complications even on univariate analysis.

Conclusions: In our study cohort the Argus suburethral sling was associated with serious mechanical and infectious complications, and sparse functional results with negative impact on patient quality of life. Based on the results of this study significant changes are warranted in the sling system and in the implantation technique.