[The Martius flap in stress urinary incontinence treated by suburethral sling].

OBJECTIVE: Study of a series of patients treated with suburethral tapes using the Martius flap technique, for complications or in a preventive way, in order to determine its interest and morbidity. PATIENTS: Eleven female patients treated by suburethral tapes for stress urinary incontinence, for which we described the type of tapes used, their complications, the procedure including Martius flap and the outcomes.
RESULTS: Indications of the Martius flap were: three tapes through bladder neck, one through urethra, one uro-vaginal fistula, four loss of substance of the vaginal wall, one peri-urethral fibrosis and one preventive use on irradiated pelvis. Complications were transient postoperative pain and one abscess of the greater lip. In our series, the Martius flap never cured stress urinary incontinence. The placement of a suburethral tape on a Martius flap is feasible but the adjustment is more difficult.
CONCLUSION: The Martius flap is efficient in the treatment or prevention of suburethral tapes complications with low morbidity. It allows secondary placement of a suburethral tape with difficult adjustment.