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Essential Uroplasty Solutions


Urgent® PC
The only outpatient neuromodulation system.


Macroplastique®
Bulking agent for female & male SUI and VUR


I-STOP®
Versatile sling for male and female SUI, as well as pelvic organ prolapse


PTQ®
 Safe and effective bulking for Faecal Incontinence


VOX®
 Safe and effective bulking for Vocal Cord Rehabilitation

 

I-STOP® Sling

For Female and Male Stress Urinary Incontinence

During the past ten years, innovations in surgery led to the development of a simple, less invasive surgical procedure to treat stress urinary incontinence. This procedure involves implanting a “sling,” a narrow strip of a permanent material to support the urethra. Many studies document that this type of procedure has an 80–90% success rate in women, with follow-up as long as 7 years.*

As SUI is most prevalent in women, the focus of the clinical research until now has been on the use of slings in female SUI.  However, there is emerging data to suggest that sling procedures are also a good option for male SUI.

The I-STOP sling
While various materials can be used for the urethral sling procedure, the most common one is polypropylene, a synthetic material that is well-tolerated by the human body and provides long-term support. The I-STOP Sling is a ribbon-like strip of polypropylene mesh, designed specifically for urethral sling applications.

The I-STOP Sling is designed to cradle your urethra, making it close more tightly and preventing involuntary urine loss.  Even when there is increased pressure on your bladder, your urethra will be able to remain closed because of the support provided by the I-STOP Sling.  In essence, the I-STOP sling supports your urethra to provide the support that your body is missing due to weakened or damaged pelvic floor muscles and connective tissues.

How is the I-STOP sling inserted?
The I-Stop Sling is passed through 2-3 very small incisions, depending on your own anatomy and individual surgeon’s technique. The procedure is minimally-invasive, generally takes less than a half hour, and can be done using local anesthetic. 

What can I expect after the procedure?

  • Your physician may prescribe antibiotics to prevent infection and medication for pain.
  • Your incisions should heal quickly.
  • You should avoid sexual intercourse, rigorous exercise and heavy lifting for about 4–6 weeks following surgery.
  • If your bladder doesn’t empty properly after surgery, you may need a catheter for a couple of days until normal bladder function returns.

What are the risks of this procedure?
Sling procedures have successfully treated SUI in many thousands of people. Complications associated with the surgical implantation of a sling for urethral support are low but may include urinary retention, hemorrhage or hematoma, perforation of the bladder, infection or wound site irritation.

In a clinical study, the I-STOP sling provided exceptional results. One-year follow-up revealed a patient satisfaction rate of 85.5% and an extremely low rate of complications. The most common complications were increased frequency (1.5%), surgical complications (2.2%) and the need for reoperation (3%).**

* Data on file

** Krauth, J.S., Rasoamiaramanana, H., Barletta, H., Barrier, P.Y., Grisard-Anaf, M., Lienhart, J., et al. (2005). Sub-urethral tape treatment of female urinary incontinence--morbidity assessment of the trans-obturator route and a new tape (I-STOP): A multi-centre experiment involving 604 cases. Eur Urol, 47(1), 102-106, discussion 106-107.

 

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