Autologous rectus fascia sling for treatment of stress urinary incontinence in women: A review of the literature

Author(s): Mahdy, Ayman; Ghoniem, Gamal M | Abstract: AIMS:Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) is common in the adult females. Surgical treatment options include synthetic mid-urethral sling (MUS), autologous sling, bulking agents, and Burch colposuspension. The autologous pubovaginal sling (PVS) has re-emerged in response to complications of synthetic MUSs and FDA communications regarding the use of vaginal mesh. This resulted in patients' fear related to vaginal mesh and drop in number of patients seeking surgical treatment of SUI. PVS has re-emerged as an option for treatment of primary SUI. The aim of this review is to familiarize, disseminate information, and share tips for the practicing female pelvic surgeons related to the practice of the autologous fascia sling. METHODS:We reviewed the literature related to the autologous sling. We used the following data bases and search engines: GoPubMed (Transinsight), Cochrane reviews (Wiley Interscience), google scholar (google), and Scopus (Elsevier). Because it is the most commonly investigated and utilized, we focused on the autologous rectus fascia sling. We also focused on the retropubic sling approach because the literature on transobturator rectus fascia sling is sparse. RESULTS:Out of 307 articles related to the subject found, 22 articles were included and the rest were excluded. CONCLUSION:ARFS is a valid primary method of treatment for female SUI. Also, it is used in particular indications such as patients with intrinsic sphincter deficiency (ISD), prior pelvic irradiation, failed and/or complicated synthetic MUS, and violated urethral lumen.