Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40531291›Full record

ArticleIrish journal of medical science2025

Attitudes towards stress urinary incontinence surgery in Ireland: navigating the pause on mid-urethral sling use.

Reut Rotem, Muireann Hickey, Daniel Galvin, Suzanne O'Sullivan, Ciaran Brady, Orfhlaith E O'Sullivan

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Irish journal of medical science, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

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Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

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PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Reut Rotem *Department of Urogynaecology, Cork University Maternity Hospital, Cork, Ireland. Reutah86@gmail.com.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-4063-5911
Muireann Hickey *Department of Urology, Mercy University Hospital, Cork University Maternity Hospital, Cork, Ireland.
Daniel GalvinDepartment of Urogynaecology, Cork University Maternity Hospital, Cork, Ireland.
Suzanne O'SullivanDepartment of Urogynaecology, Cork University Maternity Hospital, Cork, Ireland.
Ciaran BradyDepartment of Urology, Mercy University Hospital, Cork University Maternity Hospital, Cork, Ireland.
Orfhlaith E O'SullivanDepartment of Urogynaecology, Cork University Maternity Hospital, Cork, Ireland.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundMid-urethral slings (MUS) for the surgical management of stress urinary incontinence (SUI) have been suspended in Ireland since July 2018, significantly impacting treatment options and clinical practice.

aimsThis study aimed to explore the attitudes of consultant obstetricians, gynaecologists, and urologists in Ireland toward SUI surgery following the MUS suspension, including their prior practices, current approaches, and views on MUS safety and potential reinstatement.

methodsA descriptive, anonymized questionnaire was electronically distributed in early 2023 to consultant members of the Irish Society of Urology and the Continence Foundation of Ireland. Non-consultants, non-medical professionals, and respondents outside Ireland were excluded. Data were analyzed using SPSS v28.

resultsBefore the 2018 suspension, 89.5% (17/19) of respondents performed SUI surgeries, with 76.5% (13/17) using MUS-retropubic and 53% (9/17) MUS-transobturator techniques. Post-suspension, 63.2% (12/19) continued performing SUI surgery, primarily urethral bulking (83.3%, 10/12). Regarding safety, 83.3% (15/18) believed MUS led to fewer instances of post-operative voiding dysfunction and 66.7% (12/18) reported fewer complications such as vault prolapse or rectocele. Notably, 44.4% (8/18) had been involved in litigation related to MUS. Despite this, 52.6% (10/19) expressed willingness to resume MUS if the suspension was lifted.

conclusionsMUS was the preferred SUI procedure prior to suspension due to perceived safety and effectiveness. Over half of consultants surveyed would consider resuming its use, highlighting a need for diverse, evidence-based treatment options and calling for a re-evaluation of the current suspension.

Indexed as

Attitude of Health PersonnelSuburethral SlingsUrinary Incontinence, StressUrologic Surgical ProceduresAdultFemaleHumansIrelandMaleMiddle AgedPractice Patterns, Physicians'Surveys and QuestionnairesUrologistsAttitudesMesh suspensionMid-urethral sling (MUS)Stress urinary incontinence (SUI)SUI surgery

Identifiers

PMID40531291
PMCPMC12413413

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LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.