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Objectives: Little is known about the host response to the various biologic and synthetic graft materials used as substitutes for autologous fascia. We investigated the host response to sling graft materials in humans., Methods: A total of 24 women undergoing sling revision had a portion of the graft material removed for comparative analysis. At exploration, the degree of graft preservation (integrity), encapsulation, infection, and fibrosis was quantified. A histopathologic analysis was performed by systematically examining each specimen for the inflammatory response, neovascularity, and host fibroblast infiltration., Results: A total of 24 grafts were explanted at 2-34 months after implantation. The indications for removal were a lack of sling efficacy in 2, urinary retention in 9, and sling obstruction in 13. The types of graft material were polypropylene mesh (PPM) in 10, autologous fascia in 5, porcine dermis in 4, cadaveric dermis in 3, and cadaveric fascia in 2. No graft degradation had occurred in PPM material. Autologous and cadaveric fascia had the most demonstrable graft degradation. No encapsulation had occurred with autologous fascia or PPM. The porcine dermis was the most encapsulated. No host infiltration had occurred with the encapsulated porcine grafts, and only peripheral infiltration of fibroblasts had occurred in the cadaveric grafts. The PPM grafts had the greatest number of fibroblasts throughout the entire graft. Neovascularity was the most prevalent in mesh and was also present in the autologous fascia. Giant cells were seen in two mesh and two porcine grafts., Conclusions: The results of our study have shown that porcine dermis has the potential to encapsulate. The degree of host tissue infiltration was greatest with PPM, and no degradation of the mesh material had occurred with time.

Purpose of Review: Surgical management of female stress incontinence has progressed rapidly over the past decade. The purpose of this review is to provide up-to-date information regarding surgical outcomes of midurethral slings and to discuss management of sling complications. Additionally, the newer commercially available products will be outlined and the data comparing new versus established techniques will be examined., Recent Findings: Long-term data are available for the Tension-free Vaginal Tape procedure which demonstrates durable efficacy. Comparisons between the Tension-free Vaginal Tape and Suprapubic Arch sling procedure demonstrate no significant difference in cure rates or complications. In an effort to avoid the retropubic space, the transobturator slings were developed and short-term data suggest similar efficacy to the transabdominal techniques. The transobturator approach, while limiting abdominal complications, is not without its own complication profile. Increased experience with synthetic mesh in vaginal surgery has allowed for a more systematic approach to managing mesh erosions., Summary: The literature indicates that midurethral slings, despite the specific approach, are efficacious and an important therapy in managing stress incontinence. Prospective data will be needed before the surgeon can determine if the new products and techniques are truly an improvement over the existing products or merely a proprietary modification.