A Retrospective Analysis of Surgical Outcomes and Risk Factors for Persistent Postoperative Symptoms Following Synthetic Mid Urethral Sling Revision.

PURPOSE

The purpose of our study was to describe the symptom profile of patients who presented to a tertiary care hospital for sling revision, define the efficacy of sling removal/revision in alleviating symptoms and identify what factors, if any, contribute to favorable surgical outcomes.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed the records of patients who underwent revision of a synthetic mid urethral sling at our institution between 2004 and 2016. Patients with a history of vaginal mesh for pelvic organ prolapse were excluded from analysis. The outcomes assessed were the AUASI (American Urological Association Symptom Index) score, the M-ISI (Michigan Incontinence Symptom Index) score, pad use, post-void residual urine volume, examination findings and subjective improvement.

RESULTS

A total of 430 patients met study inclusion criteria, of whom 182, 172 and 40 received a transobturator tape, a retropubic mid urethral sling and a mini-sling, respectively. Patients presented with 4 primary complaints, including mesh exposure or erosion, pain or dyspareunia, incontinence and/or bladder outlet obstruction. Of the patients 77% presented with at least 2 categories of symptoms. Average followup was 15 months. Postoperatively the AUASI score decreased from 19.0 to 14.7 (p <0.001) and the bother score decreased from 5.0 to 3.4 (p <0.001). The M-ISI also improved from total and bother scores of 15.7 and 4.4 to a postoperative average of 13.2 and 3.1 (p = 0.002 and <0.001, respectively). During this time approximately 40% of patients who presented with pain had persistent postoperative discomfort, in 20% with obstruction that condition failed to resolve and recurrent mesh complaints developed in 5% with mesh exposure or erosion. On multivariate analysis preoperative narcotic use was a significant risk factor for persistent postoperative pain (OR 6.9).

CONCLUSIONS

Despite complex patient presentations subjective and objective urological symptom measures significantly improve following mid urethral sling revision.