Pubovaginal sling for treating female urinary incontinence

摘要

A device to be surgically inserted for providing bulk and stiffness supporting the urethra. A preferred embodiment is shaped like a capital letter “T.” The T extensions of the T are wide compared to the patient's anterior vagina and urethra. The pubovaginal sling is positioned or implanted under the urethra in the area from mid-urethra to the bladder neck. The body is folded, rolled, or otherwise arranged to provide bulk under the urethra. The pubovaginal sling is constructed to be relatively stiff in the area directly supporting the urethra. The extensions retain the device in its position in the vagina without the need for abdominal or pubic bone anchors. The device additionally has some flexibility for easier insertion and comfort while retained in the body. Alternative embodiments include material with increased bulk and stiffness in the body area adjacent to the urethra, and do not include a folded or rolled portion of the body. A method of treating incontinence includes inserting the device into pockets dissected in the peri-urethral tissue between the vagina and urethra.