Changes in sexual function and quality of life after single-incision mid-urethral sling for treatment of female stress urinary incontinence

Objectives To evaluate the effectiveness and assess the changes in sexual function and quality of life after placement of a single-incision sling for the treatment of female stress urinary incontinence. Study design A prospective study of women diagnosed with stress urinary incontinence. The single-incision sling was implanted and patients were followed postoperatively for 6 months. The postoperative rate of continence, complications, changes in sexual function, and patient-reported quality of life were evaluated. Female Sexual Function in sexually active patients was evaluated before and after the single-incision sling procedure using the Female Sexual Function Index. From January 2009 to November 2011, 73 patients were enrolled and underwent the procedure to implant the MiniArc® or Ajust® single-incision sling. Results Overall, 93.2% of the patients who successfully received a single-incision sling demonstrated total restoration of continence (83.6%) or improved continence (9.6%) at the 6-month postoperative visit. Improvements were seen in the quality of life scores related to global bladder feeling (87.7%) and the Female Sexual Function Index (preoperative score 23.86 ± 5.67 vs postoperative score 27.25 ± 4.66 [P < 0.0001]). Conclusion Single-incision sling treatment for stress urinary incontinence led to improvements in continence and sexual function at 6 months of postoperative follow-up. © 2013 Elsevier Ireland Ltd.