Bovine dermis: a novel biologic substitute for autologous tissue in sling surgery

Women at high risk for sling failure (advanced age, previous surgical failure, and intrinsic sphincter deficiency) underwent either bovine dermis (BOV) or autologous rectus fascia (ARF) pubovaginal sling at two hospitals. “Global cure” encompassed stress, emptying, anatomic, protection, and instability (SEAPI) composite = 0 and subjective satisfaction. Cure of stress urinary incontinence (SUI cure) equaled SEAPI (S) = 0 and negative cough-stress test. Eighty-five women (48 ARF, 37 BOV) completed a 12-month evaluation. Preoperative SEAPI and quality of life indices (QOL) were not statistically different (NS). “Global cure” for ARF and BOV was 60.4% and 54.1%, respectively (NS). “SUI cure” for ARF and BOV was 81.3% and 83.8%, respectively (NS). Postoperative SEAPI and QOL indices were significantly improved for each material; improvement was similar between ARF and BOV groups (NS). BOV is a promising substitute for ARF in women at high risk for surgical failure. Longer follow-up is needed before indications for this material are expanded.