Postoperative erosions of the Mersilene® suburethral sling mesh for antiincontinence surgery

The objective of the study was to describe the presentation of vaginal mesh erosions following Mersilene® suburethral slings for urinary incontinence. We performed a retrospective review of all Mersilene® suburethral slings placed at a tertiary referral center from 1996 to 2007. A total of 772 women underwent placement of a Mersilene® suburethral sling. We identified 62 women that underwent surgical revision due to mesh erosion for an overall erosion rate of 8%. The most common presenting symptom was vaginal discharge reported in 37% of women. Other symptoms included vaginal bleeding in 31%, pain or dyspareunia in 13%, and voiding dysfunction in 21% of women. Seven women were found to have the mesh in the bladder on cystoscopy. Cellulitis complicated 8.3% of erosions. Patients with erosions of Mersilene® mesh slings commonly complain of vaginal bleeding and discharge and may present up to 20 years after the surgery.