Role of autologous bladder-neck slings: a urogynecology perspective

Rectus Fascia Versus Fascia Lata for Autologous Fascial Pubovaginal Sling: A Single-Center Comparison of Perioperative and Functional Outcomes

OBJECTIVE

To compare perioperative and functional outcomes of autologous fascia lata versus rectus fascia pubovaginal sling in female patients with stress urinary incontinence (SUI).

METHODS

The charts of all patients undergoing pubovaginal sling for SUI from 2012 to 2017 at a single center were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were divided into 2 groups: those with the sling harvested from the fascia lata (FL group) and those with the sling harvested from the rectus fascia (RF group).

RESULTS

Between 2012 and 2017, 105 women underwent pubovaginal slings: 21 using FL and 84 using RF. Operative time did not differ significantly between the FL and RF groups (84 vs 81.9 minutes; P=0.68). Estimated blood loss was lower in the FL group (91.7 vs 141.6 mL; P=0.04). There were more wound complications in the RF group, although this was not statistically significant (0% vs 14.3%; P=0.12). Overall complications were comparable between FL and RF groups (52.4% vs 48.9%; P=0.81), but the proportion of Clavien grade 2 or greater were higher in the RF group (4.8% vs 20.2%; P=0.11). Overall, wound complications accounted for 29.3% of postoperative complications in the RF group (12/41). Functional outcomes were comparable between FL and RF groups, with similar rates of patients without SUI symptoms after 1 month (82.4% vs 76.4%; P=0.74), 1 year (55.6% vs 63.8%; P=0.76), and at the latest follow-up (66.7% vs 65.8%; P=0.87).

CONCLUSIONS

When compared with rectus fascia for pubovaginal sling, fascia lata may decrease perioperative morbidity, especially wound complications, without compromising functional outcomes.

Mini Sling (Ophira) versus Pubovaginal Sling for Treatment of Stress Urinary Incontinence: A Medium-term Follow-up

To compare two different procedures, mid-urethral mini sling (Ophira) and autologous rectus fascia sling, according to their medium-term subjective and objective outcome and satisfaction rates in the treatment of stress urinary incontinence in women. One hundred women with the main complaint of stress urinary incontinence were randomized to be treated with either mini sling (Ophira) or autologous rectus facia pubovaginal sling. Preoperative evaluation consisted of: physical examination, blood biochemistry urine analysis and culture, urinary tract ultrasound scan, conventional multi-channel urodynamic study, cystourethroscopy, cough induced stress test and Incontinence Impact Questionnaire (IIQ). The patients were objectively and subjectively re-evaluated at 1, 3, 6 and 12 postoperative months and the last visit and the collected data of more than one year follow-up were compared with preoperative assessments. Seventy two out of one hundred patients were followed for a mean time of 13.8±4.4 months (12-20 months range). Objective cure rate, according to cough-induced stress test was recorded in 88.6% and 89.2% of the mini sling (Ophira) and the rectus facia sling group respectively (P=1.0). Postoperative mean IIQ score decreased to 42.7±11.4 and 50.2±11.1 in the mini sling (Ophira) group versus rectus facia pubovaginal sling (P=0.007). Twenty eight (80%) and 23 (67%) patients in the mini sling (Ophira) and rectus facia pubovaginal sling were satisfied with the operation (P=0.23). There is no significant difference between the mini sling (Ophira) and autologous rectus fascia sling procedure in the treatment of stress urinary incontinence at medium-term follow-up.

Regenerative medicine based applications to combat stress urinary incontinence

Stress urinary incontinence (SUI), as an isolated symptom, is not a life threatening condition. However, the fear of unexpected urine leakage contributes to a significant decline in quality of life parameters for afflicted patients. Compared to other forms of incontinence, SUI cannot be easily treated with pharmacotherapy since it is inherently an anatomic problem. Treatment options include the use of bio-injectable materials to enhance closing pressures, and the placement of slings to bolster fascial support to the urethra. However, histologic findings of degeneration in the incontinent urethral sphincter invite the use of tissues engineering strategies to regenerate structures that aid in promoting continence. In this review, we will assess the role of stem cells in restoring multiple anatomic and physiological aspects of the sphincter. In particular, mesenchymal stem cells and CD34⁺ cells have shown great promise to differentiate into muscular and vascular components, respectively. Evidence supporting the use of cytokines and growth factors such as hypoxia-inducible factor 1-alpha, vascular endothelial growth factor, basic fibroblast growth factor, hepatocyte growth factor and insulin-like growth factor further enhance the viability and direction of differentiation. Bridging the benefits of stem cells and growth factors involves the use of synthetic scaffolds like poly (1,8-octanediol-co-citrate) (POC) thin films. POC scaffolds are synthetic, elastomeric polymers that serve as substrates for cell growth, and upon degradation, release growth factors to the microenvironment in a controlled, predictable fashion. The combination of cellular, cytokine and scaffold elements aims to address the pathologic deficits to urinary incontinence, with a goal to improve patient symptoms and overall quality of life.