Experience with silastic slings for female urinary incontinence.

Between September 1, 1985 and December 31, 1987, 54 patients with stress urinary incontinence were treated with a reinforced silastic sling using an abdominovaginal approach; 42 patients were cured, two improved and nine were the same or worse. Five patients who are continent required periodic intermittent self-catheterization. Eight patients developed detrusor instability postoperatively. One patient had to have the sling removed due to a persistent sinus. Fifteen patients had to have the sling adjusted.