Postoperative erosions of the Mersilene suburethral sling mesh for antiincontinence surgery.

ABSTRACT

The objective of the study was to describe the presentation of vaginal mesh erosions following Mersilene suburethral slings for urinary incontinence. We performed a retrospective review of all Mersilene suburethral slings placed at a tertiary referral center from 1996 to 2007. A total of 772 women underwent placement of a Mersilene suburethral sling. We identified 62 women that underwent surgical revision due to mesh erosion for an overall erosion rate of 8%. The most common presenting symptom was vaginal discharge reported in 37% of women. Other symptoms included vaginal bleeding in 31%, pain or dyspareunia in 13%, and voiding dysfunction in 21% of women. Seven women were found to have the mesh in the bladder on cystoscopy. Cellulitis complicated 8.3% of erosions. Patients with erosions of Mersilene mesh slings commonly complain of vaginal bleeding and discharge and may present up to 20 years after the surgery.