Analysis of risk factors associated with vaginal erosion after synthetic sling procedures for stress urinary incontinence

The goal of this study was to analyze the risk factors associated with vaginal erosion after synthetic sling procedure for stress urinary incontinence. Follow-up evaluations were at 1 week, 1 to 3 months, 6 months, and annually after the operation. The evaluations included detailed history taking, vaginal examinations, and perineal ultrasonographic urethrocystography. The vaginal erosion rate (6/239) after the synthetic sling procedure was 2.5%. We assessed the relationship between clinical features and vaginal erosion. Of these, only diabetes mellitus (DM) was a significant risk factor for vaginal erosion. Women with DM were 8.3 times more at risk than women without DM for developing vaginal erosion after synthetic sling procedure (p < 0.05). The vaginal erosion-free rate during the 24-month follow-up decreased significantly in women with DM. The rate of vaginal erosion associated with type III multifilamentous polypropylene sling (intravaginal slingplasty) is 10.7% more than that with type I monofilament polypropylene sling (such as tension-free vaginal tape and inside out transobturator vaginal tape) (p = 0.054). Women with DM should be informed that vaginal erosion is a possible complication after synthetic sling procedure.