What is a Prophylactic Sling?

A tension-free vaginal tape (TVT) is a mid-urethral sling placed around the urethra to treat stress urinary incontinence (SUI). When women present with concurrent prolapse (cystocele, enterocele, uterine prolapse or rectocele) and SUI, the surgical treatment is da Vinci sacrocolpopexy with TVT or vaginal prolapse repair with TVT.

In some cases, women present with a significant prolapse without SUI by history or on exam. In up to 25% of these cases, if prolapse repair is performed without a sling, SUI will develop post-operatively. Based on the patients history, physical exam and often urodynamics, Dr. Shashoua may recommend a prophylactic sling in these patients at the time of prolapse repair to prevent post-operative SUI.