Impact of treatment with sling placement for stress urinary incontinence on quality of life: case report and literature review

Abstract

Introduction: urinary incontinence is defined as a condition of involuntary leakage of urine. Although minimal, incontinence is associated with a significant decline in quality of life, social, professional, and mental health, as well as sexual dysfunction in these women. Objective: To report the impact of sling used on the long-term quality of life of a patient with stress urinary incontinence. Case Report: 37-year-old patient without comorbidities, five pregnancies, three natural deliveries, one cesarean section, and one abortion, with an interval between deliveries of approximately one year. She began to experience mild urinary incontinence at medium and heavy exertion (cycling, climbing stairs quickly, carrying weight) or in near-maximum bladder capacity, in drips, with progressive worsening of symptoms over time that negatively impacted her quality of life. After several outpatient evaluations and with the persistence of symptoms, the patient underwent insertion of a mid-urethral sling. Conclusion: the use of a urethral sling had a positive impact on the control of incontinence and improvement in the long-term quality of life of a young patient with stress urinary incontinence.