UGSA Pubovaginal Sling Information Sheet

To correct stress urinary incontinence (urinary leakage with coughing, sneezing or with exercise). The pubovaginal sling procedure has been performed for many years for the management of stress urinary incontinence with a long-term success rate of 85%. However, the surgery is usually reserved for the management of challenging cases, owing to the more extensive nature of the surgery, including increased rates of urinary retention (incomplete bladder emptying) following the surgery. The pubovaginal sling procedure typically has a longer operating time, hospital stay and recovery than the mid-urethral slings, which are the first line treatment for urinary stress incontinence.

Given the problems associated with the pubovaginal sling, this procedure is usually reserved for those with recurrent stress urinary incontinence and those with fixed or ‘drain pipe‘ urethras (after radiation).