Sling Suspension Therapy Utilization in Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation

The development of an effective and inexpensive device to restore and enhance the human musculoskeletal functions is of particular interest. Sling exercise therapy (SET) is one of the most effective developed tools in rehabilitation of musculoskeletal disorders, which has been successfully used in various applications ranging from diagnosis to treatment. To the best of our knowledge, SET has never been comprehended and reviewed previously. Therefore, it was highly required to further understand the role of SET in various therapeutic applications. Inspired by this herein, this study is dedicated to emphasize the advancement in utilization of the SET in both diagnosis and treatment as well as their related challenges. This would be concluded by future perspectives of the SET.

The Outpatient Burch-Sling Procedure: A Nerve-Sparing Method for Correcting Female Urinary Incontinence

Conventional methods to treat urinary stress incontinence, including the Sling, Burch, and Pereyra modification methods, are limited by several shortcomings due to disrupted nerve and vaginal wall integrity. The nerve-sparing Burch-Sling method represents a surgical advancement through the use of a nerve-sparing sling to treat genuine stress urinary incontinence. The procedure involves retropubic urethropexy using the FDA-approved Burch-Sling device. In this technique, the vagina is elevated bilaterally at the urethrovesical junction to the mid-urethra toward Cooper’s ligament above the base of the bladder. Then, the anterior vaginal wall and fascia are used as an endogenous suburethral sling without dissection. Two hundred twenty cases were included in this study;two hundred patients underwent the outpatient nerve-sparing sling method, and the other twenty underwent the novel abdominal Burch method. There were no major complications. The follow-up duration ranged from 6 months to eight years. All procedures were performed at the U.S. Women’s Institute at a 400-bed hospital in Fountain Valley, CA.

Long Term Follow up of the Solyx Single Incision Sling in the Treatment of Female Stress Urinary Incontinence (SUI)

Objectives: The Solyx System was developed to be easier and safer to use than other slings. It was the objective of this study to retrospectively assess the long-term safety and efficacy of the SolyxTM SIS Sling System. Methods: After IRB approval and informed consent, chart reviews with follow up phone questionnaires of 69 subjects implanted with the Solyx Sling were collected at 2 sites. All of the patients had SUI and had urethral hypermobility with a q-tip test of >30 degrees. All subjects underwent surgery from 12/2008 to 01/2010 with a mean follow up of 43 months (range 39 -49). Subjects included in this data collection had a mean age of 67 years (range 30 -87). The dominant type of incontinence within the study patients was SUI while 17/69 (25%) of the subjects also had a component of urge incontinence. 38/69 (55%) of study patients had concomitant procedures. Results: Long-term Solyx results showed 64/69 (93%) of patients were subjectively dry by questionnaire and were satisfied with their outcome. 63/69 (91%) would have the procedure again. There were 4 cases of denovo urge incontinence and 2 reports of transient retention. There were no serious adverse events including no bladder, bowel, vessel or nerve perforations and no erosions or extrusions. No pain was reported that was attributed to the implant. Conclusions: Chart review with follow phone questionnaires indicated that the Solyx Sling was a safe, efficacious and less-invasive option for patients requiring SUI surgery and that these results were sustainable for an average of 43 months.

Severe unilateral congenital ptosis with poor levator function:tarsoconjunctival mullerectomy plus levator resection vs frontalis sling procedure

AIM:To compare frontalis sling and tarsoconjunctival mullerectomy plus levator resection(TCMLR)in subjects with severe unilateral congenital ptosis with poor levator function(LF).METHODS:A prospective non-randomized nonblinded single center clinical trial.Fifty patients with severe unilateral congenital ptosis with poor LF were recruited.The frontalis sling and TCMLR were performed and the functional,cosmetic outcomes,complications,and success rate were evaluated at 1,3,and 6mo postoperatively.The t-test,Chi-square,Fishers exact,and nonparametric MannWhitney tests were used by SPSS software.RESULTS:Frontalis sling and TCMLR procedures were performed on 26 and 24 patients respectively.The mean age was 10.97±10.67y.LF was significantly better in the TCMLR group at months 1,3,and 6(P=0.002).Lagophthalmos was more common in the TCMLR group(no significant difference).At month 3,mild punctate epithelial erosions were observed more in the frontalis sling group(P=0.002).Significant complete success rate of 1st and 6th month for the frontalis sling vs TCMLR groups were 50%vs 20.8%(P=0.02),and 38.4%vs 50%(P=0.03)respectively.CONCLUSION:Complete success rate of TCMLR is higher in long-term follow-up in contrast with the frontalis sling in the short-term.Transient complications are more detected in mid-term follow-ups in both groups.

Effect of Tuina-SET Sling Exercise Therapy on Analgesic Substances in Serum of Patients with Nonspecific Low Back Pain

[Objectives]This paper aimed to investigate the effect of Tuina combined with sling exercise therapy(SET)and psoas&abdominal training on serum 5-hydroxytryptamine(5-HT)andβ-endorphin(β-EP)levels in patients with nonspecific low back pain(NLBP).[Methods]Total 46 patients with NLBP who visited the Tuina Department of the First Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University from August 2019 to May 2020 were randomly and evenly divided into control group and treatment group.On the basis of Tuina therapy,the patients in the control group and treatment group were treated with psoas&abdominal training and SET,respectively.After the treatment,the serum 5-HT andβ-EP levels of the patients were detected.[Results]The serum 5-HT andβ-EP levels in the treatment group were significantly improved compared with the control group(P<0.05).[Conclusions]The nerve&muscle reconstruction techniques of Tuina combined with SET or psoas&abdominal training can improve serum 5-HT andβ-EP levels in patients with NLBP.

经sling法治疗女性压力性尿失禁术前术后护理

我院自1996年至今采用sling法治疗压力性尿失禁病人22例,疗效满意.现围手术期的护理体会报告如下.

The Effect of Isometric and Isotonic Exercises of Lower Limbs Extensor Sling on Static and Dynamic Balance in Basketball Players with Patellofemoral Pain

Background: Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (PFPS) is one of the most common conditions among athletes. Although there are various causes for this condition, reduced balance is the problem most frequently expressed by these patients. The aim of the present study was to examine the effect of Extensor Muscle Sling Isometric and Isotonic (EMSII) exercises of lower limbs on female basketball players suffering from PFPS. Method: A total of 30 participants, all female basketball players suffering from PFPS, with an average age of 20 - 30 years, were divided into two isometric/isotonic and control experimental groups. Eight weeks of isometric and isotonic exercises were recommended to the participants with a focus on EMSII exercises of lower limbs in two four-week phases. The control group received no specific exercise program. Pre-test and post-test included the use of Stork balance test (SBT) and Y Balance tests (YBT) to assess the static and dynamic balance, respectively. Results: After eight weeks of performing separate isometric and isotonic exercises on the mentioned muscles, and according to the results of the pre-test, a significant increase was observed in the results of both static and dynamic balance tests (P Conclusion: EMSII exercises of lower limbs showed a significant effect on the increased balance. Recommended exercises can be suggested according to the type of exercises as a factor for increasing static and dynamic balance.

The Suburethral Sling Transobturator Approach for Stress Urinary Incontinence Treatment in Women in the Maternity and Neonatology Center of Tunis (WTSC)

The authors, through a descriptive retrospective study have evaluated the results of surgical treatment, by Tension-Free Obturator tape (TOT) technique, of urinary incontinence in the first 68 patients operated in the Department “C” of Obstetrics and Gynecology of the Maternity and Neonatology Centre of Tunis (WTSC). The average age in those patients was 55.14 ± 8.47 years with extremes of 40 and 82 years. The majority of the patients (72%) were under the age of 60 years. In sixty-one patients (89%), no urine leak has been detected and they were healed. In three patients (4%) there was improvement with partial recovery. Three other (4%) did not notice any improvement after the surgery. No case of dysuria or rejection of the strip has been reported. It was concluded that the declared satisfaction rate is 93%.

A retrospective comparative series comparing monarc and sparc suburethral slings

A Retrospective Comparative Series Comparing Monarc and Sparc Suburethral Slings. Introduction and Hypothesis: There are a number of suburethral slings used in current practice to treat female urinary incontinence. To date there has been a lack of larger comparative series. This paper aims to evaluate the effectiveness and complications of two types of suburethral sling. Methods: A retrospective comparative series comparing 113 consecutive Sparcsuburethral slings with 112 consecutive Monarc slings. Results: The success rate of SparcvsMonarc was similar at 6 weeks (96.1% vs 94.2%, NS) and at 6 months (96.0% vs 92.6%, NS). The Monarc procedure had less intraoperative bladder fenestrations & less postoperative urgency. Conclusions: Both procedures had a similar success rate, while the Monarc had less complications. Brief Summary: Both procedures had a similar success rate, while the Monarc had less complications of intraoperative bladder fenestration & postoperative urgency.

Cadaveric Assessment of Synthetic Mid-Urethral Sling Placement

Purpose: To determine if 3 types of mid-urethral synthetic slings are visually the same. Materials and Methods: A retropubic, obturator, and single incision sling was individually placed in three cadavers. Tension was set using a spacer (obturator and retropubic). Single incision sling (SIS) tension was set by visual inspection. Thirty physicians were asked to determine placement method, tension, and location of the 3 slings. Results: Physicians were composed of 5 urologists, 7 urogynecologist, and 18 general gynecologists, with an average of 53 slings performed per year. Conclusion: This study showed that after placement of a sling it is hard to tell how the sling was placed and that most physicians felt the SIS was tensioned the best and most likely at the mid-urethra.

Clinical value of needleless sling in treatment of female stress urinary incontinence

BACKGROUND Stress urinary incontinence(SUI)is a common disease in women.The emergence of the needle-free sling has led to a new clinical treatment for SUI in women.AIM To explore the clinical value of the needleless sling without acupuncture in the treatment of SUI in women.METHODS From February 2017 to November 2018,according to the order of admission,44 patients(mid-suspension group)were treated by tension-free transobturator urethral suspension,and 44 patients(non-acupuncture group)were treated with a needleless non-acupuncture band.The clinical effects of the two treatments were evaluated.RESULTS There was no significant difference between the two groups in the total clinical effectiveness rate(P=0.374),but intraoperative blood loss and visual analogue scale score at postoperative day 1 were significantly lower in the non-acupuncture suspension group than in the middle urethral suspension group(P=0.396).The incidence of complications in the needle-free sling group was significantly lower than that in the middle urethral suspension group(P=0.025).CONCLUSION The clinical effectiveness of acupuncture-free suspension in treating SUI in female patients is better than that of traditional tension-free transobturator mid-urethral suspension.

Left Pulmonary Artery Sling Associated with Patent Ductus Arteriosus and Atrial Septal Defect: Evaluation with Multidetector CT

We report a case of left pulmonary artery sling associated with patent ductus arteriosus and atrial septal defect in a 21-month-old child. 256-slice MDCT provides valuable information, such as abnormal origin of the left pulmonary artery, the relationship between pulmonary artery and airway, the diameter of the patent ductus artery and atrial septal defect. The information is helpful in diagnosis, pre-operative evaluation and post-operative follow-up of LPS.

Ten-Year Outcomes of Transobturator Mid-Urethral Sling for Treatment of Stress Urinary Incontinence in Hong Kong Chinese Women with or without Reconstructive Pelvic Floor Surgery

Objective: To evaluate the outcomes of transobturator mid-urethral sling (TO-MUS) with or without reconstructive pelvic floor surgery (RPFS) in Chinese women with stress urinary incontinence (SUI) after 10 years. Methods: This was a prospective observational study on Chinese women undergoing the insertion of TO-MUS with or without RPFS. All patients were assessed at 1-year and 10-year by urodynamic study (UDS). Objective cure was defined as the absence of urine leakage during provocative maneuvers on filling cystometry. Data regarding subjective outcome (patient perception), quality of life changes (Urogenital Distress Inventory-short form (UDI-6), Incontinence Impact Questionnaire-short form (IIQ-7)) and adverse events were also collected. Results: Of 104 eligible patients, 99 patients completed the 10-year evaluation. 57 patients (57.6%) underwent TO-MUS only and 42 patients (42.4%) underwent TO-MUS with concomitant RPFS. At 10-year follow-up, the overall objective cure rate was 86.9% and overall subjective cure rate was 80.8%. In TO-MUS only group, the objective and subjective cure rates at 10-year were 84.2% and 78.9% respectively. In TO-MUS with RPFS group, the objective and subjective cure rates at 10-year were 90.5% and 83.3% respectively. Compared TO-MUS only group with TO-MUS with RPFS group, there were no statistically significant differences in objective cure rate (84.2% vs. 90.5%, p = 0.55) and subjective cure rate (78.9% vs. 83.3%, p = 0.58). Conclusion: TO-MUS is an effective treatment for SUI in Hong Kong Chinese women. Concomitant RPFS during the procedure of TO-MUS does not affect the success.

Re-Adjustable Male Slings

Re-adjustable male slings are well established and should be offered to incontinent men with mild, moderate or severe incontinence. However, they should be able to interrupt their stream. Solely the slight increase of the urethral resistance (10 - 15 cmH20) supporting the smooth muscle component will provide continence for such patients. Argus, Remeex and Atoms allow exactly setting the urethral resistance to a level, which will provide continence thus avoiding obstructive voiding. Implantation may be carried out retropubically (Remeex), via a transobturator route (Atoms) or alternatively (Argus). The success rates after more than one-year follow-up come up to 84%. Intraoperative bladder perforations may occur in 6% - 11%, late complications are infections possibly leading to explantation in 8% - 12%. Postoperative perineal pain and/or numbness may be present.

Single incision slings: Past, present, and future

Pubovaginal slings have become the gold standard to treat stress urinary incontinence. Traditionally, the sling referred to a suspensory that was placed under the urethra and brought through the retropubic space and anchored on either side of the midline. Since this original concept, there have been many materials used for the sling, and there have been many different anchoring approaches. Most agree that one of the best materials is polypropylene mesh. However, the means of anchoring the device and where best to have this anchorage placed is debatable. The options for anchoring simply include using darts vs not to hold the sling in place. The location of this anchorage, on the other hand, is much more controversial. The main locations are retropubic, transobturator, and via a single incision. The obturator and retropubic slings have become the standard of care over time. The single incision sling, on the other hand, is starting to be more acceptable which has resulted in it being used more frequently. The single incision relies on mainly anchoring the sling through the obturator internus muscle with possible inclusion of the obturator membrane. The purpose of this review article is to present the data that exists for the use of the single incision sling.

Single incision slings:Are they ready for real life?

AIM: To review of the efficacy and safety outcomes of different single incision slings(SIS) systems, also in comparison with traditional slings.METHODS: A literature search was conducted in Pub Med/MEDLINE database. The research was restricted to randomized and/or prospective trials and retrospective studies, published after 2006, with at least 20 patients with non-neurogenic stress urinary incontinence(SUI). The studies had to assess efficacy and/or safety of the SIS with a minimum follow-up of 12 mo. All the paper assessing the performance of tension free vaginal tape secur were excluded from this review. The final selection included 19 papers fulfilling the aforementioned criteria. Two authors independently reviewed the selected papers.RESULTS: Four different SIS systems were analysed: Ajust&#174;, Ophira&#174;, Altis&#174; and Mini Arc&#174;. The average objective cure rate was 88%. Overall no statistically significant differences were found between SIS and traditional mid-urethral slings(MUS) in terms of objective cure(all P > 0.005). Only one paper showed a statistically lower success rate in Mini Arc&#174; vs Advantage&#174; slings(40% vs 90%) and higher rates of failure in the SIS group. Since there was a great variability in terms of tests performed, it was not possible to compare subjective cure between studies. The vast part of the studies showed no major complications after SIS surgery. We also observed very low reported pain rates in SIS patients. The RCTs on Ajust&#174; and Mini Arc&#174;, showed better outcomes in terms of post-operative pain compared to MUS. None of the patients reported longterm pain complains.CONCLUSION: SIS showed similar efficacy to that of traditional slings but lower short-term pain, complication and failure rates.

Does local vaginal estrogen after tension-free transobturator vaginal tape reduce overactive bladder symptoms in postmenopausal women? A prospective randomized, controlled study

Objective:We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of topical estrogen after transvaginal tension-free vaginal tape-obturator(TVT-O)in the treatment of de novo overactive bladder symptoms that appear after surgery.Methods:This is a prospective randomized controlled study performed in the Urology and Gynecology Departments,Kasr Al Ainy Hospital,Cairo University,Cairo,Egypt.Two hundred and ten postmenopausal females presenting during the period between January 2017 and November 2020 with stress urinary incontinence were included in the study.Patients were divided into two groups,105 patients in Group A(treatment group)and 105 patients in Group B(control group).Patients in Group A underwent transvaginal TVT-O followed by local vaginal estrogen treatment for 6 months,while patients in Group B underwent transvaginal TVT-O only.The study included any postmenopausal female with urodynamic stress urinary incontinence.All patients had to fulfill a 3-day bladder diary,overactive bladder symptoms score,urine analysis,urodynamic study,and post-voiding residual urine measurement by abdominal ultrasound preoperatively and at 3-month and 6-month follow-ups.Results:At 6-month follow-up,daytime frequency was reduced to 8%in Group A(increased to 21%in Group B)with a statistically significant difference between both groups(p=0.009).At 6-month follow-up,nocturia was 8%in Group A(11%in Group B)with no statistically significant difference between both groups(p=0.469).There was a statistically significant difference between both groups as regards to urinary urgency at 6-month follow-up(p=0.024).There was a statistically significant difference in postoperative wound healing events as regards to cure,hyperemia,gapping,and wound infection 1 week after intervention between both groups(p=0.008).No local or systemic side-effects were reported from local estrogen use.Conclusion:Local vaginal estrogen treatment given to postmenopausal patients after midurethral sling procedures can reduce the symptoms of daytime frequency and urinary urgency.Long-term follow-up is needed.

Medium-term clinical efficacy and safety of single incision and modified trans-obturator mid-urethral slings for female stress urinary incontinence

Aims:To evaluate the medium term efficacy and safety of Altis and Solyx single incision slings(SIS)compared with tension-free vaginal tape(TVT)Abbrevo trans-obturator sling.We hypothesize that both SIS show little difference in efficacy and safety and perform similarly to TVT Abbrevo.Methods:We conducted an ambispective comparative cohort study of women with stress urinary incontinence who received a SIS in comparison to matched TVT Abbrevo subjects from a concurrent randomized controlled trial(RCT).Subjects were identified retrospectively,and prospectively invited for examination and questionnaires>12 months post-operatively.Exclusions included intrinsic sphincter deficiency,previous sling surgery,and others.Primary outcome was subjective cure[negative response to International Consultation Incontinence Questionnaire-Urinary Incontinence Short Form(ICIQ-UI SF)question 6,leakage during coughing/activity].Secondary outcomes include objective cure(negative cough stress test),functional outcomes,and adverse events.Results:Between 2012 and 2018,a total of 113 women received one of two SIS surgeries;Solyx(n=50)followed by the Altis(n=63);104 were available for final efficacy analysis.Mean follow-up was 21.7(Altis),46.0(Solyx),and 29.0(Abbrevo)months.Baseline characteristics were comparable between the groups.There was no significant differences in the subjective or objective cure rates between the groups,and no differences in functional outcomes such as patient global impression of improvement,and post-operative ICIQ-UI SF score.There was a low rate of mesh related complications and no differences seen between the groups.Conclusions:Despite being an underpowered study,Altis and Solyx SIS have favourable efficacy and safety profiles which are comparable to an established trans-obturator mid-urethral slings(MUS).

针刺联合悬吊运动治疗非特异性下腰痛的临床观察

目的研究针刺联合悬吊运动治疗非特异性下腰痛(nonspecific low back pain,NLBP)的临床效果。方法采用随机数字表法,将2020年3月至2023年1月在湖南中医药大学第一附属医院针灸推拿康复科进行治疗的60例NLBP患者分为观察组、对照组,各30例。两组患者在常规处理的基础上,对照组采用针刺治疗,观察组采用针刺联合悬吊运动治疗,均治疗4周。观察两组患者疼痛视觉模拟评分(visual analogue scale,VAS)、功能障碍问卷(roland morris disability questionnaire,RMDQ)、中医症候积分、肌肉紧张度、生物力学特征、生活质量综合评定问卷(generic quality of life inventory 74,GQOL-74)、生活活动能力(Barthel指数)及疗效。结果治疗后,两组患者VAS、RMDQ评分、中医症候积分、两侧竖脊肌、多裂肌紧张度及腰背屈/伸比值(flexion/extension,F/E)均较治疗前下降(P<0.05),且观察组上述指标均低于对照组(P<0.05);治疗后,两组患者腰背伸状态下峰力矩(peak torque,PT)、平均功率(average power,AP)、GQOL-74及Barthel评分较治疗前升高(P<0.05),且观察组上述指标均高于对照组(P<0.05);经过治疗后,观察组总有效率(93.33%)高于对照组的(73.33%)(P<0.05)。结论单纯针刺和针刺联合悬吊运动在治疗NLBP上均有一定的疗效,可有效缓解患者疼痛,改善竖脊肌、多裂肌主动活动功能,提高生活质量,且针刺结合悬吊运动疗效优于单纯针刺治疗,值得临床推广应用。

支持性心理干预联合渐进性肌肉放松训练在无张力吊带尿道中段悬吊术患者中的护理效果

目的探讨支持性心理干预联合渐进性肌肉放松训练在无张力吊带尿道中段悬吊术患者中的护理效果。方法选取2021年1月至2023年3月于四川大学华西医院进行无张力吊带尿道中段悬吊术的136例压力性尿失禁患者为研究对象,在组间基线特征可比的原则上,采用随机数字表法分为对照组和观察组,每组68例。对照组给予常规护理干预,观察组在对照组的基础上于围手术期给予支持性心理干预联合渐进性肌肉放松训练。比较分析两组患者护理干预前后的心理弹性水平[Connor-Davidson心理弹性量表(CD-RISC)各维度评分]、自知力与自我效能[自知力与治疗态度问卷量表(ITAQ)评分、一般自我效能感量表(GSES)评分]、尿失禁症状与生活质量[泌尿生殖障碍量表简版(UDI-6)评分、尿失禁影响问卷简表(IIQ-7)评分、国际尿失禁咨询委员会尿失禁问卷简表(ICIQ-SF)评分]。比较分析两组患者护理干预后的临床疗效以及术后的并发症发生情况。结果护理干预前,两组患者的CD-RISC乐观、自强、坚韧各维度评分以及ITAQ评分、GSES评分、IIQ-7评分、UDI-6评分、ICIQ-SF评分比较差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05)。护理干预3个月后,两组患者的CD-RISC乐观、自强、坚韧各维度评分以及ITAQ评分、GSES评分均升高,且观察组高于对照组,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05);两组患者的IIQ-7评分、UDI-6评分、ICIQ-SF评分均降低,且观察组低于对照组,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05)。观察组患者护理干预3个月后的临床总有效率高于对照组,术后并发症总发生率低于对照组,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论支持性心理干预联合渐进性肌肉放松训练可有效增强无张力吊带尿道中段悬吊术患者的心理弹性水平,改善患者的自知力和治疗依从性,提高患者的自我效能、生活质量和临床疗效,且可减少术后并发症的发生。