Objective: Assess the suitability of SPARC sling as a minimally invasive operation for female stress urinary incontinence.
Materials and methods: One hundred consecutive patients were evaluated over 45-month period. All had stress urinary incontinence (SUI), proven on urodynamics and cough stress test, independently or combined with urge incontinence but with predominantly SUI. King's Health Questionnaire 1993 (KHQ) and SF36 Health Survey forms were completed pre and post operatively. Peri-operative features, complications and results were recorded.
Results: Mean follow-up was 20 months. SUI was cured or significantly reduced in 88% of cases. Role Limitations and Severity Measures (as per KHQ) were considerably reduced. Post-op retention in 11% cases resolved spontaneously within 2 weeks. One case had readjustment of sling. Complications were small in number and minor in nature.
Conclusion: SPARC sling is highly effective with low complication rates. It is an alternative to tension free vaginal tape.