Women’s Surgical Preferences in Stress Urinary Incontinence: Sling or Bulking Agent?
Authors:
- Ester IllianoEIEster Illiano
- Raffaele BalsamoRBRaffaele Balsamo
- Giulia VacilottoGVGiulia Vacilotto
- Francesco TramaFTFrancesco Trama
- Giordano PolisiniGPGiordano Polisini
- Elisabetta CostantiniECElisabetta Costantini
- 8 July 2026
- journal article
- Published by S. Karger AG in Urologia Internationalis
- p. 1-7
Abstract
Introduction: The aim of the study was to evaluate which treatment women with mild-to-moderate stress urinary incontinence (SUI) chose after failure of conservative treatment. Methods: It is an observational study evaluating the choice of the type of second-line treatment in women with SUI who are nonresponsive to rehabilitation. The women had careful counselling with all the characteristics of both bulking agent and sling regarding: technique, hospitalization time, recovery time, long-term outcomes, complications, failure. Results: Eighty women were evaluated. Women, who choose to perform a bulking agent live alone, have no help at home, do jobs from which they cannot be absent for a long time, and also are exposed to unavoidable physical exertion. Women who choose to perform a sling instead do jobs that do not involve physical exertion and thus can start again quickly, are married, and have help with household chores. Sixty-five percent choose a bulking agent to avoid complications. A total of 74.6% of women who choose slinging are for good long-term results. Conclusion: Careful counselling can be instrumental in deciding on the most appropriate level II treatment, taking into account each patient’s needs and expectations.Keywords
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