A '''urethral sling''' is a surgically implanted device that stabilizes pelvic tissues and organs of women. The surgery that implants this device can help treat [[urinary incontinence]] and uterine prolapse. An alternative treatment to the placement of the urethral sling is [[urethral bulking injections]].<ref name=Walters2015>{{cite book | last = Walters | first = Mark | title = Urogynecology and reconstructive pelvic surgery, Chapter 22| publisher = Elsevier/Saunders | location = Philadelphia, PA | year = 2015 | isbn = 9780323113779|postscript=; Access provided by the [[University of Pittsburgh]] }}</ref>
Complications, such as [[foreign body erosion]] into the urinary tract, can be largely reversed by partially or completely removing the sling.<ref name=":0">{{Cite journal |last1=Doyle |first1=Paula Jaye |last2=Grimes |first2=Cara L. |last3=Balk |first3=Ethan M. |last4=Wieslander |first4=Cecilia |last5=Richardson |first5=Monica |last6=Mamik |first6=Mamta M. |last7=Sleemi |first7=Ambereen |last8=Alas |first8=Alexandriah |last9=Kudish |first9=Bela |last10=Walter |first10=Andrew J. |last11=Aschkenazi |first11=Sarit |last12=Mama |first12=Saifuddin |last13=Foda |first13=Mohamed |last14=Meriwether |first14=Kate V. |date=2022-02-01 |title=Surgical Removal of Midurethral Sling in Women Undergoing Surgery for Presumed Mesh-Related Complications: A Systematic Review |journal=Obstetrics and Gynecology |volume=139 |issue=2 |pages=277–286 |doi=10.1097/AOG.0000000000004646 |issn=1873-233X |pmid=34991142}}</ref> However, in that case, the [[stress incontinence]] frequently returns (estimated at approximately 20% for partial removal and 50% for total removal).<ref name=":0" />
== References ==
{{Reflist}} {{surgery-stub}} [[Category:Urology]] [[Category:Incontinence]] [[Category:Surgical procedures and techniques]]