The male slings: an effective and safe alternative surgical treatment to the artificial urinary sphincter for male stress urinary incontinence?-a narrative review.

Background and objective: The ideal candidate for a male sling (MS) should have a mild to moderate degree of stress urinary incontinence (SUI). This narrative review article evaluates the current MS devices in the commercial market and examines the role of MS as an effective and safe alternative treatment option for male SUI.

Methods: The available literature on MS was reviewed and relevant clinical studies pertaining to each MS were summarised with emphasis on device design and technology as well as specific surgical findings relating to clinical outcomes.

Key content and findings: Over the past two decades, there have been considerable scientific advances in MS design and technology, and MS is an attractive alternative for patients who might not require or want an artificial urinary sphincter. The modern MS can be classified as adjustable or non-adjustable types and is placed either through a retropubic or transobturator (TO) approach. Strict patient selection and counselling, selection of MS with proven clinical records, and safe surgical practice are paramount to ensure a high continence rate, good patient satisfaction, and low postoperative complications. Published data on various MS materials and devices showed reasonable clinical efficacy and safety outcomes, although many of these synthetic MS devices may not be available worldwide due to a lack of regulatory approval in many countries. While the ideal MS is probably yet to be developed, continued scientific advances in slings design, mesh technology, and more refined surgical techniques will improve the continence rate and deliver better safety records.

Conclusions: As clinical data matures with longer-term outcomes coupled with advances in scientific designs and technology, the ability to have and select the optimal MS for a particular patient will come to fruition.