Mini-Sling Ophira at 8 Years Follow-Up: Does It Sustain Results?

PURPOSE: To evaluate mini-sling long-term results and correlate them to failure predictors. Many studies show comparable results among different single-incision slings developed as an attempt to reduce complications while keeping good results, but there is a lack of evidence about mini-slings outcomes in the long term.

METHODS: This prospective, single-center study evaluated 40 patients for long-term outcomes after mini-sling placement. Objective cure was defined as leakage of less than 1 g in 1-hour pad-test and no leakage at Valsalva maneuver. An objective improvement was defined as leakage of a maximum 50% of the preoperative test. Subjective continence was considered as a zero score at International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Short Form (ICIQ-SF). Patients were also evaluated for comorbidities and previous surgeries.

RESULTS: The mean age was 56 (±9.3) years, the mean ICIQ-SF score was 16 (±2.98) before surgery and 3.5 (± 5) at last follow-up, showing sustained improvement in the long term, mean 100 (84-109) months follow-up. The objective results show 67.5% of success, 17.5% of improvement, and 15% of failure. Age and parity were not related to outcomes (p = 0.33), but previous surgeries increase failure rate with 5.66 OR (p = 0.04). Success, improvement, and failure rates were 85, 10, and 5% for treatment-naive patients versus 50, 25, and 25% for patients with previous surgeries, respectively.

CONCLUSION: Mini-sling Ophira shows good long-term results with low complications rates in patients without previous anti-incontinence surgery. Randomized trials are necessary to compare mini-slings results to other mid-urethral slings in recurred stress urinary incontinence.