What is a Pubovaginal sling?

A pubovaginal sling, also known as a fascial sling, autologous fascial sling, or bladder neck sling is a surgery where a piece of strong tissue, called fascia, is obtained from either the fascia on the thigh or fascia on the abdomen and is placed underneath the urethra. Dr. Stone will typically make a small incision along the thigh to obtain a strip of fascia lata. He will then make a small suprapubic incision and a vaginal incision to pass the end of the fascia behind the pubic bone.

What condition does a pubovaginal sling treat?

A fascial sling treats stress urinary incontinence which is urinary leakage that occurs with coughing, laughing or sneezing. This procedure is often used when mesh is not desired or contraindicated.

Does a pubovaginal sling use mesh?

No mesh is used during this procedure.

What is the recovery like?

Dr. Stone recommends 6 weeks of no heavy lifting (no more than 15 lbs) and 6 weeks of pelvic rest after a pubovaginal sling.

What are the risks of pubovaginal sling?

Risks include the following: Pain, swelling, numbness near incision sites Infection Bleeding Damage to nearby organs such as bowel, bladder, and rectum Blood clots and problems related to anesthesia Difficulty emptying the bladder. Short term difficulty (1-3 days) 40% Prolonged difficulty (1-4 weeks) 2% Long term difficulty requiring a sling release 1%

What are the alternatives to a pubovaginal sling?

There are several alternatives to pubovaginal slings that Dr. Stone will discuss with you. Conservative alternatives will include "watching and waiting", pessary placement, pelvic floor physical therapy and urethral bulking . The primary surgical alternative is a mid-urethral sling , which is made of mesh . Another non-mesh alternative is the Burch procedure which Dr. Stone performs laparoscopically. Dr. Stone will discuss with you the advantages and disadvantages of each approach and individualize his recommendation based on your values, expectations and specific condition.

Are there any other surgeries that are commonly performed with pubovaginal slings?

Yes, rarely is a pubovaginal sling performed in isolation. Dr. Stone will discuss with you any other surgeries that would be performed at the same time. Other commonly performed surgeries include: Hysterectomy (removal of uterus and/or cervix) Bilateral Salpingo-oophorectomy (removal of tubes and ovaries) Bilateral Salpingectomy (removal of tubes) Other prolapse repair surgeries Vaginal Vault suspension Sacrocolpopexy Hysteropexy Cystocele repair (bladder prolapse repair) Rectocele repair (rectocele repair) Perineorrhaphy (vaginal opening repair) Cystoscopy (a camera used to look inside the bladder)

Pubovaginal Sling Specialist

Home » Treatments » Pubovaginal Sling

Dr. Daniel Stone, MD FACOG

Urogynecologist located in Phoenix, AZ

Dr. Daniel Stone, MD performs Pubovaginal (fascial) Slings for patients in the Phoenix, Scottsdale and surrounding Arizona areas. These procedures can help patients that suffer from Stress Urinary Incontinence. He specializes in anti-incontinence procedures and is one of the only providers in Arizona who can provide surgical alternatives to mid-urethral slings such as the Pubovaginal (fascial) sling and Burch procedure.

Pubovaginal Sling Q & A

What is a Pubovaginal sling?
A pubovaginal sling, also known as a fascial sling, autologous fascial sling, or bladder neck sling is a surgery where a piece of strong tissue, called fascia, is obtained from either the fascia on the thigh or fascia on the abdomen and is placed underneath the urethra. Dr. Stone will typically make a small incision along the thigh to obtain a strip of fascia lata. He will then make a small suprapubic incision and a vaginal incision to pass the end of the fascia behind the pubic bone.
What condition does a pubovaginal sling treat?
A fascial sling treats stress urinary incontinence which is urinary leakage that occurs with coughing, laughing or sneezing. This procedure is often used when mesh is not desired or contraindicated.
Does a pubovaginal sling use mesh?
No mesh is used during this procedure.
What is the recovery like?
Dr. Stone recommends 6 weeks of no heavy lifting (no more than 15 lbs) and 6 weeks of pelvic rest after a pubovaginal sling.
What are the risks of pubovaginal sling?
Risks include the following:
- Pain, swelling, numbness near incision sites
- Infection
- Bleeding
- Damage to nearby organs such as bowel, bladder, and rectum
- Blood clots and problems related to anesthesia
- Difficulty emptying the bladder.
  - Short term difficulty (1-3 days) 40%
  - Prolonged difficulty (1-4 weeks) 2%
  - Long term difficulty requiring a sling release 1%
What are the alternatives to a pubovaginal sling?
There are several alternatives to pubovaginal slings that Dr. Stone will discuss with you. Conservative alternatives will include "watching and waiting", pessary placement, pelvic floor physical therapy and urethral bulking. The primary surgical alternative is a mid-urethral sling, which is made of mesh. Another non-mesh alternative is the Burch procedure which Dr. Stone performs laparoscopically. Dr. Stone will discuss with you the advantages and disadvantages of each approach and individualize his recommendation based on your values, expectations and specific condition.
Are there any other surgeries that are commonly performed with pubovaginal slings?
Yes, rarely is a pubovaginal sling performed in isolation. Dr. Stone will discuss with you any other surgeries that would be performed at the same time. Other commonly performed surgeries include:
- Hysterectomy (removal of uterus and/or cervix)
- Bilateral Salpingo-oophorectomy (removal of tubes and ovaries)
- Bilateral Salpingectomy (removal of tubes)
- Other prolapse repair surgeries
- Cystoscopy (a camera used to look inside the bladder)

Testimonials

"He actually took the time and listened to me. After the exam he told me that he wanted to try another pessary before committing to surgery. He fit one in and it worked! I haven't felt this good in years. I'm so so grateful to him!"

"He is one of the most caring docs I've ever been to. I've been struggling with this problem for years and have been to 3 docs before I saw him."

"Dr. Stone is a really good doctor. After I had the urethra sling surgery Dr Stone called me at home to see how I was doing. The office staff is good. Dr Stone's nurse Iris is really good she returns calls. I will refer my family and friends to this office."

"Dr. Stone has been wonderful. I was very hesitant at first to see a man but he put me completely at ease. I was able to speak to him about my problem with leakage. He discussed several options and gave me choices which I loved. Eventually I decided on surgery. The surgery went well and I finally have my life back again."

"I highly recommend him. I will be referring all my loved ones if ever they develop problems."

"He put us at ease about the surgery by really explaining the procedure in detail to me, my husband and my daughter. He made me feel like I was his only patient."

"Awesome!! Would give him 10 stars!!!!! Dr. Stone took the time to fully explain medical procedures. He patiently answered all my questions."

"His bed-side manner put me at ease discussing a very embarrassing topic. I'd recommend him to anyone."

Major Insurance Providers Accepted

We accept most insurance policies for your convenience. Please contact your insurance carrier to verify your individual benefits and any copays or coinsurance that are part of your plan. Patients are responsible for notifying our office if a specific plan requires precertification, preauthorization, or a referral (especially HMOs). Please call the phone number on the back of your insurance card to verify your provider network participation as insurance carriers change policies often.

Schedule your appointment with Dr. Stone today

One of our staff members will contact you directly. If you have any concerns requiring immediate attention, please don’t hesitate to call us at 602-788-1521.

Dr. Stone is also offering Telemedicine visits. Call to schedule today.

Office location

Valley Urogynecology Associates

1616 East Maryland Avenue

Phoenix, Arizona 85016-1302

Office Hours: Monday-Friday from 8 AM – 5 PM

Main: (602) 788-1521

Fax: (602) 688-5420

Conveniently located just off Highway 51 on Maryland Avenue just East of 16TH Street between East Bethany Home Road and East Glendale Avenue.

Dr. Daniel Stone, MD