An autologous fascial sling is used to correct stress urinary incontinence (SUI). SUI is when you involuntarily leak urine (pee) when sneezing, laughing, coughing or doing exercise. It is a very common condition that occurs in 1 in 3 women.
SUI occurs when the muscles and tissues that support the urethra (the tube that carries urine from your bladder to outside your body) are weakened. The autologous fascial sling uses your own tissue (taken either from the abdomen or the thigh) to create a sling to support the urethra. Unlike midurethral slings, which are placed under the middle part of the urethra, an autologous fascial sling is placed at the neck of the bladder (where the bladder and urethra connect). Although autologous fascial sling can be used to treat SUI, it usually is not the first choice because the procedure is more invasive and takes longer than other options. Conditions where an autologous fascial sling may be a better choice include:
Autologous fascial sling procedures are performed in 2 steps:
You may be asked to undergo some bladder testing called urodynamic testing. You’ll need to attend a preoperative visit where you will talk with your doctor about what to expect and undergo some basic lab work. If you need surgical clearance or prior authorization, you will be asked to get this before surgery.
Autologous fascial sling takes about 1 hour to complete, and you’ll be under general anesthesia. You’ll stay in the hospital overnight.
Most patients report minimal pain with autologous fascial sling, but you can expect some activity restrictions for about 6 weeks. Many patients can return to a normal routine shortly after surgery. Activity restrictions include:
The risk of complications from autologous fascial sling is typically very low. As with any procedure, there is a risk of anesthesia problems, pain, bleeding, infection, blood clots or damage to nearby organs. Risks specific to this procedure include: