Long-term risk of complications after mid-urethral sling IVS implantation.

INTRODUCTION Results of short-term evaluation of multifilament microporous midurethral tape IVS differ a great deal. During the first year of implantation, erosions have been observed in 0%-26% of operated women. Long-term observations are rare. They suggest high risk of extrusion and infection even after years of implantation. OBJECTIVE The purpose of the study was to evaluate long-term risk of complications after IVS implantation. MATERIAL AND METHODS Between 2001-2005, 72 women were operated on with the use of IVS mid-urethral tape. RESULTS Two women had vaginal erosions during the first 3 months after the operation. Twelve women had vaginal erosions, purulent vaginal discharge, with IVS tape sticking out of the abdominal wall or vagina, and abdominal abscess. These complications were diagnosed between 9 months and 6 years after IVS implantation. The patients were operated on vaginally and open abdominally, 1-5 times because of complications after IVS implantation. CONCLUSIONS In the case of post-IVS complication, as much tape as possible should be excised. Long-term follow up on patients with IVS implantation should be recommended to the centres where IVS tape was used, even to patients after removal of the tape. Risk of erosion, extrusion and infection after midurethral multifilament microporous IVS tape implantation is too high - which is the reason it should no longer be used.