Continence outcomes following partial excision of vaginal mesh exposure after mid-urethral tape insertion

Abstract Objective To assess the incidence of recurrent stress urinary incontinence (SUI) following vaginal excision of exposed mid-urethral tape (MUT). Study design This was a retrospective observational study in a tertiary urogynaecology unit of an inner city teaching hospital. The population consisted of 41 consecutive women seen with a vaginal mesh exposure following MUT insertion between 2000 and 2009, which failed to resolve with conservative measures. The primary outcome measure was the presence of symptoms of stress urinary incontinence following surgical excision of exposed mesh. Results The incidence of recurrent SUI following tape excision was 34.1%. Type of mid-urethral tape, menopausal status, and the time interval between tape insertion and excision were not found to be significantly associated with the risk of recurrent SUI. Conclusions Over a third of women experience recurrent SUI after surgical management of vaginal mesh exposure following MUT insertion. Risk factors may be more comprehensively studied using prospectively collected cohorts.