What is a Male Urethral Sling Procedure?

Male urethral sling surgery is a minimally invasive surgical treatment used to help men with urine incontinence, a condition in which they are unable to control their bladder. A medical professional applies a gentle, mesh-like surgical tape around the area of your urethral bulb (bulb of the penis). The surgery tape raises and supports your urethra (the tube through which urine leaves the body) and bladder neck. The bottom of your bladder is called the bladder neck. It is the point at which urine enters your urethra and leaves your body.

The urethral bulb is a bulbous structure of an internal space that courses along the underside of your penis (corpus spongiosum) and encircles your urethra. It's at the base of your penis, between the two bigger chambers that course along the top of your penis (corpora cavernosa). The urethral bulb helps control when you urinate, particularly when exercising.

Other terms for a male sling are:

• AdVance® sling
• Coloplast Virtue® male sling

What does it treat?

The male urethral sling procedure assists men who experience incontinence after prostate surgery, particularly if a surgeon takes out the whole prostate (radical prostatectomy) to cure prostate cancer.

If you have mild to moderate urine incontinence, meaning you leak one to three pads per day or fewer, doctors usually recommend a male sling treatment.

What tests are done before the procedure?

Before a male urethral sling procedure, a medical professional may have tests done, including:

• Urodynamic testing: Tests such as these help find out if you have any issues with your lower urinary tract. A doctor may order them to check how well your muscles and nerves function, check for pressure around and in your bladder, and see how much you urinate and how forceful your urine stream is.
• 24-hour pad test: A 24-hour pad test detects how many pads you wear daily to manage leaks and how much you leak.
• Cystoscopy: A health provider uses a long, narrow tube with a light and camera at the end to examine inside your bladder and urethra.
• Electrocardiogram (EKG): An EKG will assist in determining the efficiency with which your heart functions. A doctor may request an EKG to verify whether your heart is healthy enough to withstand a male sling procedure.
• Blood tests: Blood tests may assist your surgical team in identifying whether you have a blood-clotting disorder (like hemophilia) that places you at risk of excessive bleeding during surgery.
• Urinalysis (urine test): When you have a urinalysis, medical professionals examine your urine's physical, chemical, and microscopic elements to see if you have any conditions (like a urinary tract infection, kidney illness, or diabetes) that might influence the procedure or your healing.

How should I prepare for a male sling procedure?

Inform your physician if you are on any prescription or over-the-counter drugs, including herbal supplements. Anticoagulants (blood thinners), nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and some herbal supplements can put you at risk of bleeding. You should discontinue these medications up to two weeks before surgery. If needed, you may take acetaminophen (Tylenol®) for headache and minor pain. Except when otherwise indicated by your physician, you can continue to take drugs like:

• Antibiotics
• Medications for high blood pressure
• Hormone replacement pills
• Medications for the heart

Your doctor will also give you special instructions about what to eat before the procedure and when to discontinue eating and drinking. Most men should just eat or drink clear liquids on the evening before surgery. You can see through clear liquids, like broth, juices, and gelatin (Jell-O®). This will empty your intestines (bowels) before surgery and minimise contamination and infection risks.

Take only a minimal sip of water if you have to take medication the day of or the evening before your male sling surgery.

What is done during the procedure?

A dedicated group of healthcare professionals performs a male sling procedure. The group may include:

• Anaesthesiologist
• Nurses
• Urologist (Surgeon)

The anaesthesiologist will provide you with general anesthesia so you sleep during the procedure and do not experience pain.

While you are asleep, the urologist will:

• Cut (make an incision) through your perineal tissue (tissue between your anus and scrotum)
• Reveal your urethra
• Put surgical tape around the portion of your urethral bulb covering the very top part of the urethra, close to the urethral sphincter (a muscle that functions like a kind of valve that opens and closes to eject pee from your body)
• The tape gently repositions the urethra, makes the area more resistant and stabilises the bladder neck.

How long does it take?

Male sling surgery takes more than an hour to perform, with time ranging between anaesthesia, prepping, the surgery itself and recovery from anaesthesia. The duration will depend on your tissue quality and body type.

What can I expect after a male urethral sling procedure?

After a male urethral sling procedure:

• Your incision will be closed by a doctor with stitches and bandaged.
• The anaesthesiologist will discontinue administering anesthesia into your system. You will be awake in a matter of minutes. But you might still feel drowsy.
• You will be transferred to a recovery room. Your providers will wait for you to become more alert and monitor your overall well-being. They will also address your pain.
• The male sling is often an outpatient procedure. That means you can go home on the day of the procedure. But sometimes, you might have to spend a night in the hospital. They'll discharge you (let you go home) when they decide you no longer need to be watched.

How do you urinate after a bladder sling?

If you cannot pee normally right after the procedure, you might need a urinary catheter. A urinary catheter removes pee from your bladder. You might have to use a catheter for several days since swelling could prevent you from peeing. When the swelling subsides, you can pee by yourself.

Once you've recovered, you should be able to urinate normally following a male sling operation.

What are the advantages of a male urethral sling procedure?

The primary advantage of a male urethral sling procedure is curing urinary incontinence. Additional advantages of the procedure include:

• The operation only needing a small cut in your perineum
• Minimum scarring
• Minimal recovery time
• The male sling being completely within your body, so you can't see it

How long does the male sling last?

The male sling should last for 10 to 15 years.

How successful is the surgery?

The male sling procedure is highly successful. Recent research indicates that almost 80% of males who receive it have no (or significantly improved) symptoms of incontinence.

What are the side effects?

Male sling procedure complications are uncommon. But all surgical procedures for urinary incontinence carry possible risks. Some potential side effects of a male bladder sling are:

• Difficulty urinating (urinary retention), the most frequent complication of surgery and possibly needing you to have a few weeks using a catheter (occasionally, you might need to have a second operation to fix urinary retention)
• Bleeding
• Infection
• The tape that is beginning to wear away into your urethra
• Urinary incontinence returning (recurrent incontinence)
• New or increased overactive bladder symptoms, such as increased frequency (pee more often), urgent need to pee (urinary urgency) and needing to get up more often during the night to pee (nocturia).

How long is the recovery time from a male sling surgery?

Depends. Your body is different, and your reaction to a male sling procedure can be different for you from others. Most people start feeling better within a week. But it can take longer. You might need to have a catheter until swelling subsides. Your usual peeing habits may also take a few weeks to become normal again. Discuss this with your urologist. They'll better inform you about what to anticipate while recovering.

When can I return to work/school?

Most men can resume school or office work a few days after male sling surgery. But you might need to take more time off if you have a more physically demanding job that involves active exertion or heavy lifting. Ask your surgeon for personal suggestions.

Can I have sex?

Consult your doctor when it's okay to engage in sexual intercourse following a male sling surgery.

When do I call a doctor?

Call a doctor if you:

• Can't urinate
• Have blood in your urine (hematuria)
• Have symptoms of infection, such as fever, chills or tender testicles

You should also consult with a provider if you do not achieve your desired outcomes or if leakage recurs in the future. They can explain any further procedures that you will be required to undergo and collaborate with you to form the best course of therapy.

Why choose Tender Palm Super Speciality Hospital for Male Urethral Sling Procedure in Lucknow, India?

Tender Palm Super-Speciality Hospital is one of the best hospitals for Male Urethral Sling Procedure in Lucknow, India. Our experienced Urologists uses advanced technology, and provides patient-focused care, the hospital ensures safer procedures, quicker recovery, and improved long-term outcomes.

To Seek an Expert Consulatation for Male Urethral Sling Procedure in Lucknow, India:

Call us at +91-9076972161
Email at care@tenderpalm.com

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