SLINGS FOR MALE INCONTINENCE

Home
Procedures We Perform
Slings for Male Incontinence

Image showing a male urethral sling for the treatment of urinary incontinence. A urethral sling is a procedure used to treat stress urinary incontinence. In men, slings are often used for the management of incontinence after prostate surgery.

At Brisbane Urology Clinic, our Urologists are highly experienced in the use of slings in the management of stress urinary incontinence.

WHAT IS A MALE CONTINENCE SLING?

A male continence sling is a device used to reposition and support the urethra for the management of stress urinary incontinence in men.

WHY IS MALE CONTINENCE SLING REQUIRED?

Urinary stress incontinence is when you leak urine with activity. It is the result of a weak pelvic floor (group of muscles at the base of the pelvis surrounding the urethra) or following some surgery. Placement of a piece of synthetic mesh (sling) to support the urethra is used to reduce or stop leakage with activity.

In men, slings are often used for the management of incontinence after prostate surgery.

WHAT DOES MALE CONTINENCE SLING SURGERY INVOLVE?

Male sling surgery is usually performed under a general anaesthetic (completely asleep) or spinal anaesthetic (numb from the waist down).

We make an incision in your perineum (the skin between the back of your scrotum and your anus) and two small incisions in each of your groins.

We then place the mesh sling under the urethra to support it.

We close the skin with dissolvable sutures and cover the incision with surgical glue. The sutures are internal and take a few weeks to dissolve.

A catheter is placed during the surgery and this is usually removed the following day.

You will usually go home from hospital the day after the surgery.

WHAT IS THE RECOVERY AFTER MALE CONTINENCE SLING SURGERY?

Male continence sling surgery is usually performed as an overnight stay in hospital.

It is common to have mild to moderate pain after male continence sling surgery. You will be given instructions on pain relief medication to take after the operation.

You may have scrotal or perineal bruising and discomfort. It will take a few weeks for this to completely resolve.

You need to be very careful in the first 6 weeks following surgery to avoid slippage of the sling.

No lifting greater than 4-5 kg.
Avoid stepping up into vehicles.
Abstain from sexual activity.
No bending, squatting, climbing, extreme leg spreads, biking or jogging. Sit down to tie shoelaces.

You can usually return to sedentary work approximately 14 days after the operation. If your job involves physical work, please discuss this with your doctor.

You can start doing gently exercise, such as walking, approximately 7 days after the operation.

You can recommence driving after 2 weeks. Please avoid stepping up into high vehicles.

WHAT ARE THE RISKS OF MALE CONTINENCE SLING SURGERY?

Common risks (1/2 – 1/10)

Burning or stinging when passing urine.
Discomfort and bruising in your perineum, scrotum and groins.
Failure to produce any significant improvement in your leakage.

Occasional risks (1/10 – 1/50)

Inability to pass urine requiring the need for a urethral catheter.
Infection in the wound requiring further treatment.
The need to pass urine more frequently and urgently.

Rare risks (1/50 – 1/250)

Damage to the urethra during surgery preventing the surgery being completed.
Gradual migration of the sling into your urethra months or years later which may require removal and further reconstructive surgery.
Groin pain and discomfort that may be temporary or permanent.
Injury to the bladder requiring prolonged catheterisation.

The risks of anaesthesia have not been listed here.