SUFU 2018: Global Outcomes of Suburethral Synthetic Midurethral Sling Removal

Austin, TX (UroToday.com)  Dr. Nabeel A. Shakir and colleagues presented a prospective study of 230 women undergoing suburethral sling removal at UT Southwestern Medical Center, from 2006 to 2017.  Patient demographics, sling type, symptoms, and UDI-6 scores were obtained prior to and after sling removal.  They followed patients at 6 weeks, 6 months, and yearly after sling removal.  Mean follow up for the study was 30 months.

The authors found that 78% of patients reports 3 or more symptoms  at presentation.  Patients more often had a retropubic MUS sling removed (63%) than transoburator MUS sling removal (38%).  Analysis of UDI-6 scores demonstrated 53% of patient had success after sling removal.  The authors also found that 10% of patients had an ideal outcome, defined as being sexually active, and having no pelvic pain, urinary incontinence, or recurrent UTI’s.  49% of patients were considered a success, after excluding the parameter of sexual activity, with having one minimally invasive anti-incontinence procedure.

The authors found the success rate of 49% following suburethral sling removal is similar to the UDI-6 scores (53%), in multiple domains.  This demonstrates long term success for sling removal.  The authors advocate for long term follow up for patients following sling removal. 


Presented by: Nabeel A. Shakir, MD, UT Southwestern Medical Center

Co-Authors: Connie Wang BA, Nirmish Singla MD, Feras Alhalabi MD, Alana Christie MS, Gary Lemack MD and Philippe Zimmern MD, UT Southwestern Medical Center

Written by: Cristina Palmer, DO. Female Urology, Pelvic Reconstruction, Voiding Dysfunction Fellow, Department of Urology, UC Irvine Medical Center, Orange, California at the Society of Urodynamics, Female Pelvic Medicine & Urogenital Reconstruction Winter Meeting (SUFU 2018), February 27-March 3, 2018, Austin, Texas