Sling Surgery for Incontinence


If conservative treatment of stress incontinence (as above) does not adequately resolve this problem, then minimally invasive sling surgery is now the most common surgical treatment.  This urethral support sling surgery corrects stress incontinence with a soft material called “mesh” that supports the urethra.  The mesh sling functions like a hammock under the urethra to lift it up to the pubic bone back to where it should be.  This soft mesh is light and porous so your body’s tissues grow into it to provide optimal long term support.  Dr Marshall was one of the first surgeons performing this procedure in Australia and uses an Obtryx or Lynx sling, depending on the type of stress incontinence. The success of the procedure is around 90%. It is a minimally invasive procedure, requiring tiny incisions and you can return home the same day or the following day.  There are some potential adverse reactions to mesh surgery and Dr Marshall will discuss these. 

Dr Marshall now is a preceptor / teacher for sling surgery, training other gynaecologists in this procedure.

Dr Marshall used to perform Burch colposuspension, by open and then laparoscopic surgery for stress incontinence. This was the previous gold standard treatment.  However, since 2003 he has been performing sling surgery as it has equivalent excellent results but is certainly much simpler, safer and has a quicker recovery.

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