My wife had the sling procedure to help with her incontinence. I have heard there is a sling procedure for men. Is it similar to my wife's procedure, and should I expect a successful treatment like hers?
It's true that minimally invasive sling procedures have revolutionized the management of stress incontinence in women. While the name is similar, the techniques, materials, and outcomes are different for females. There is such a thing as a "Male Sling" which involves the surgical placement of a 4 by 7cm band of material (usually silicone mesh) up against the underside of the urethra. It is inserted through and incision in the perineum (between the scrotum and anus) and held in place by 2-3 sets of bone screws, which are drilled into the pubic bone and attached to the mesh material with sutures. The mesh is pulled tight against the urethra, providing a compressive force that resists stress incontinence, yet allows the voluntary passage of urine. Unlike the AUS, the male sling is not a dynamic device, and does not require manipulation by the patient in order to void. It is immediately effective, and does not need to be activated 4 to 6 weeks after surgery, as does the AUS. Patients with severe degrees of incontinence may be better candidates for the AUS. Unlike the AUS, which has been around for decades, the male sling is relatively new, and urologists do not have the same track record with it to compare. Still, it is an emerging and increasingly attractive form of treatment for many men with stress incontinence. Source: www.nafc.org
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