Advances in female stress urinary incontinence: mid-urethral slings

摘要

Stress urinary incontinence (Sill) is functionally described as the loss of urine due to a failure of the bladder outlet and urethra to maintain a closed seal at times of increase in intra-abdominal pressure, with symptoms that include leakage with coughing, sneezing, laughing and exercise. Many women are ashamed of the condition, and choose not to discuss it. There is also a prevalent fear of surgery and a popular belief that it may make the condition worse. The direct health care costs of SUI (estimated in the USA to be US dollar11.2 billion per year) is overshadowed by the emotional toll that SUI takes on an individual's quality of life and autonomy [1].