Sling operation for urinary incontinence.

105 women with urinary stress incontinence were treated over an 8-year period. The operations carried out were: 44 Zoedler slings using mersilene and 61 slings using lyodura. Follow-up lasting from 3 to 11 years showed complete failure in 17 patients (16%). The plastic slings of the Zoedler type led to an increased risk of complications such as retropubic infections, rejection of the mersilene, and chronic urinary retention. The lyodura sling was considered good prosthetic material. Our experience shows that a sling operation, as a primary method, may be selected for patients with stress urinary incontinence and a large degree of descent of the anterior vaginal wall and/or uterus.