TVT Sling Mesh Complications

Retropubic mesh tape slings (TVT, SPARC, ALIGN, LYNX, etc) are transvaginal mesh implants and are considered the standard of care to treat stress urinary incontinence, however mesh complications such as mesh exposure, mesh extrusion, mesh erosion, vaginal pain, abdominal pain and painful intercourse can occur. Studies have shown that many physicians do not recognize these complications in a timely fashion and therefore many patients suffer for an extended period of time prior to being able to get treatment for these complications. The TVT sling was the first sling on the market and now many companies have made similar products such as the SPARC procedure by American Medical Systems, the Align by BARD Urology, the LYNX sling by Boston Scientific and others. These mid-urethral retropubic slings are all transvaginal mesh implants, however do have some different individual properties and all may be associated with a mesh complication.