Stress urinary incontinence is a common urinary system disease, especially prevalent among women. Its main manifestation is the involuntary leakage of urine from the urethra during abdominal pressure increases due to coughing, laughing, exercising, or sneezing. The prevalence of stress urinary incontinence among adult women in China is as high as 18.9%, with an increasing incidence correlated with age, particularly common in middle-aged and elderly women. The causes of this condition are related to factors such as female physiological structure, hormone levels, experiences of pregnancy and childbirth, and lifestyle habits.
Generally speaking, mild stress urinary incontinence can be alleviated and effectively reduced through adjustments in lifestyle habits, strengthening pelvic floor muscle exercises, maintaining personal hygiene, keeping a positive attitude, and increasing physical exercise. For moderate to severe stress urinary incontinence with poor outcomes from non-surgical treatments, surgical treatment may be considered. The mid-urethral sling procedure is currently regarded as an effective treatment method for female stress urinary incontinence (SUI), and its therapeutic effects have been widely recognized.
What is the mid-urethral sling procedure? According to Dr. Wang Biao from the Urology Department of Beijing Chaoyang Hospital affiliated with Capital Medical University, the core principle of the mid-urethral sling procedure is to create a supportive structure beneath the mid-urethra by implanting synthetic material slings, thereby enhancing the support of the female mid-urethra and restoring its normal closure function. The high cure rate, long-term efficacy, minimally invasive nature, rapid recovery, safety, and wide range of indications make this procedure one of the preferred methods for treating stress urinary incontinence. Compared with other surgical treatments, the mid-urethral sling procedure has the following advantages for treating female stress urinary incontinence:
1) High cure rate and long-term efficacy: The mid-urethral sling procedure, especially the tension-free vaginal tape (TVT) series of surgeries, has been proven to have an extremely high cure rate. According to clinical data from both domestic and international sources, the cure rate for this procedure can exceed 95%. For most patients with stress urinary incontinence, the mid-urethral sling procedure can significantly improve their symptoms and enhance their quality of life. Furthermore, this procedure offers long-term efficacy, providing ongoing relief from incontinence issues.
2) Minimally invasive and rapid recovery: The mid-urethral sling procedure is typically performed using minimally invasive techniques, resulting in minimal surgical trauma, little bleeding, and quick postoperative recovery. Generally, the procedure can be completed in just 15 to 20 minutes, and patients can quickly resume normal activities, typically being discharged about one day after the surgery. This rapid recovery process helps reduce patients’ suffering and financial burden, thereby improving their quality of life.
3) Safety and low complication rates: The mid-urethral sling procedure demonstrates excellent safety. The procedure is relatively simple with minimal damage to surrounding tissues, leading to a lower postoperative complication rate. Particularly when compared to some previous surgical methods, the mid-urethral sling procedure shows significant advantages in reducing complications such as bladder and urethral injuries. Additionally, due to the minimal trauma from the surgery and the fast recovery, the risk of postoperative infections and other complications is further reduced.
4) Broad range of indications: The mid-urethral sling procedure is suitable for various types of patients with stress urinary incontinence, including those with mild, moderate, and severe cases, as well as those with pelvic organ prolapse or other pelvic floor dysfunctions. For patients with poor non-surgical treatment outcomes who cannot persist with or tolerate those treatments, the mid-urethral sling procedure offers a safe and effective treatment option.
Moreover, this surgery is also applicable to patients with complex pelvic floor functional disorders such as pelvic organ prolapse, allowing for simultaneous treatment of stress urinary incontinence during pelvic floor reconstruction surgeries. For women severely troubled by stress urinary incontinence, this is undoubtedly a blessing.
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* This article is intended for public health education and should not be used as a basis for diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a professional physician at a hospital.
