Treatment of female stress urinary incontinence using a combined allogeneic–synthetic sling in suburethral loop plasty

BACKGROUND: Stress urinary incontinence remains a prevalent medical and social issue that significantly reduces women’s quality of life. Despite their high efficacy, synthetic slings are associated with a risk of complications related to limited biocompatibility of materials. Allografts are a promising approach in surgical treatment of stress urinary incontinence because of their high strength, minimal immunogenicity, and reduced risk of postoperative complications.

AIM: The work aimed to improve the outcomes of surgical treatment of stress urinary incontinence in women using a combined allogeneic–synthetic suburethral sling.

METHODS: The study included 51 female patients with stress urinary incontinence who underwent suburethral loop plasty (TVT-O) using a newly developed combined allogeneic–synthetic sling. The outcomes were evaluated at 1 to 12 months postoperatively using both subjective (validated questionnaires) and objective diagnostic methods (including the cough test, ultrasonography, comprehensive urodynamic studies, and magnetic resonance imaging).

RESULTS: The study demonstrated high efficacy and safety of the combined allogeneic–synthetic sling in surgical treatment of stress urinary incontinence. The findings confirmed favorable biomechanical properties of the implant, a significant improvement in patients’ quality of life (ICIQ-SF and PISQ-12 scores), and the absence of erosive complications. Magnetic resonance imaging findings indicated complete biological remodeling of the allogeneic component with the formation of functional connective tissue 12 months postoperatively.

CONCLUSION: A combined sling containing a biocompatible allogeneic component (Alloplant) significantly improves surgical treatment outcomes in stress urinary incontinence. Strategic placement of the biological material in the periurethral zone minimizes the risk of rejection and erosive complications, improves functional outcomes (lower risk of dyspareunia and de novo overactive bladder), and promotes physiological tissue remodeling with the formation of a mature connective tissue regenerate within 6–12 months.