OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to evaluate the anatomic relationships of anchor points of single-incision midurethral slings with 2 common placement trajectories.
STUDY DESIGN: In 30 female pelvic halves, a probe was introduced through a suburethral tunnel following 45° and 90° angle trajectories. The corresponding anchor points were tagged. Distances to the obturator canal, accessory obturator vessels, dorsal vein of clitoris, and external iliac vein were recorded.
RESULTS: Both suburethral tunnel trajectories and their respective anchor points remained caudad to the obturator internus muscle in 100% of dissections. The closest distance between either anchor point to the obturator canal was 1.6 cm. The closest distance from the 45° and 90° anchor points to the accessory obturator vessels was 1.6 and 1.5 cm, respectively.
CONCLUSION: The anchor points of single-incision midurethral slings are in close proximity to vascular structures that could be injured with inadvertent entry into the retropubic space.
Written by:
Montoya TI, Street JJ, Corton MM. Are you the author?
Division of Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390-9032, USA.
Reference: Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2013 Jan;208(1):75.e1-5.
doi: 10.1016/j.ajog.2012.10.004
PubMed Abstract
PMID: 23099191
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