Sling

What is a sling?

The vaginal sling procedure (pubovaginal sling) refers to a type of surgery used to treat urinary incontinence in women.

Urinary incontinence is the inability to control your bladder, leading to the leakage of urine. You might experience urine leakage after sneezing or coughing, or you might have sudden and strong urges to urinate. 

Dr. Marinescu or Dr. Baker might recommend a vaginal sling procedure to treat more severe cases of urinary incontinence that are negatively impacting daily life.

OBGYN CARE provides initial placement of slings as well as revision surgeries.

What does the sling procedure involve?

During urination, a circular-shaped muscle around your bladder relaxes to release urine into your urethra, the tube that takes urine from your bladder to the outside of your body.

With the vaginal sling procedure, your doctor carefully uses a piece of tissue or synthetic material to make a sling around your urethra to support it and prevent urine from leaking.

The specifics of your procedure vary. Prior to surgery, you usually undergo spinal or general anesthesia and your doctor inserts a temporary catheter into your bladder to drain your urine.

During your procedure, your doctor makes a small incision inside your vagina or in your abdomen above your pubic bone or on each side of your labia. Your surgeon carefully inserts the sling, a strip of synthetic material or your own tissue, through your incisions before securing the sling around your urethra.

What are the different types of slings?

There are two main types of vaginal slings: tension-free slings and conventional slings.

Conventional slings

Conventional slings are usually derived from synthetic material, tissue from your body, or donor tissue. Your doctor typically places this synthetic material or tissue around your urethra and fastens it with stitches.

Tension-free slings

Vaginal tapes or tension-free slings are typically made of mesh. Your doctor gently places this material around your urethra and your surrounding tissue in your body keeps it in place.

What can I expect after the sling procedure?

The vaginal sling procedure is usually an outpatient procedure. In some cases, you might need to stay for a night or two at the hospital.

Most women are fully recovered within one to three months.

Be sure you follow the post-operation instructions from Dr. Marinescu or Dr. Baker for the best possible recovery. To inquire about a sling, call OBGYN CARE or book online today.