Sling and Sphincter

A sling is used to help control the flow of urine out of the body. When the?pelvic?floor muscles and the urethral sphincter are weakened and not fuctioning?properly,?urine can?leak out through the urethral opening.

An effective surgical approach that is widely used today to restore continence involves the implanting of a urethral sling.

What is the sling made of?
There are two basic types of uretheral slings. One is made of synthetic material?(thin strip of polypropylene mesh weave) that is commonly used in a variety of body locations. The other is made of natural tissue. The tissue can be taken from the belly or thigh; or use man-made tissue.

Three to five small incisions will be made in your abdomen,?through which the laparoscope and other surgical tools are inserted. Your abdomen will then be inflated with harmless gas.?

What will the doctor do?
A urethral sling can be implanted within about 30 minutes. Placement of a sling is a minimally invasive procedure. Two small incisions will be made in the lower part of the belly. Working through both incisions, the sling is wrapped under the bladder and urethra. the ends of the sling are then sewn to strong tissues in the abdomen.

It is always important to follow all directions provided by the doctor and continue to visit your doctor as scheduled.