Male continence sling

ABOUT MALE CONTINENCE SLING

What is a male continence sling?

A male continence sling is a device used to reposition and support the urethra for the management of stress urinary incontinence in men.

Why is a male continence sling required?

Urinary stress incontinence is when you leak urine with activity.

It is the result of a weak pelvic floor (group of muscles at the base of the pelvis surrounding the urethra) or following some surgery.

Placement of a piece of synthetic mesh (sling) to support the urethra is used to reduce or stop leakage with activity.

In men, slings are often used for the management of incontinence after prostate surgery.

Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer is a disease cause by abnormal growth of cells in the prostate. These cells have the potential to grow within the prostate and spread to other parts of the body.

Prostate Enlargement

Prostate enlargement, also called benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), is a non-cancerous growth of the prostate gland that commonly occurs in men as they age. The prostate surrounds the urethra, so when it enlarges, it can press against the urethra and block urine flow.

PATIENT JOURNEY

What does a male continence sling involve?

Male sling surgery is usually performed under a general anaesthetic (completely asleep) or spinal anaesthetic (numb from the waist down).

We make an incision in your perineum (the skin between the back of your scrotum and your anus) and two small incisions in each of your groins.

We then place the mesh sling under the urethra to support it.

We close the skin with dissolvable sutures and cover the incision with surgical glue.

What does a male continence sling involve?

The sutures are internal and take a few weeks to dissolve.

A catheter is placed during the surgery and this is usually removed the following day.

You will usually go home from hospital the day after the surgery.

What is the recovery after insertion of a male continence sling?

Male continence sling surgery is usually performed as an overnight stay in hospital.

It is common to have mild to moderate pain after male continence sling surgery.

You may have scrotal or perineal bruising and discomfort. It will take a few weeks for this to completely resolve.

You need to be very careful in the first 6 weeks following surgery to avoid slippage of the sling.

• No lifting greater than 4-5 kg.
• Avoid stepping up into vehicles.
• Abstain from sexual activity.
• No bending, squatting, climbing, extreme leg spreads, biking or jogging. Sit down to tie shoelaces.

You can usually return to sedentary work approximately 14 days after the operation. If your job involves physical work, please discuss this with your doctor.

You can start doing gently exercise, such as walking, approximately 7 days after the operation.

You can recommence driving after 2 weeks. Please avoid stepping up into high vehicles.

OUR TEAM

The following doctors in our practice perform male continence sling surgery:

Dr Gregory Malone

Urologist

Dr Jason Paterdis

Urologist

Book an appointment

Book an appointment to discuss this procedure with one of our doctors.