What are common complications after sling surgery?

• A. Urinary retention, mesh erosion, infection, pelvic pain, and voiding dysfunction.
• B. Increased urinary flow and no complications.
• C. Hair loss and skin rash.
• D. No need for monitoring.

Answer: (A)

Common complications after sling surgery relate to how the urinary tract and surrounding tissues respond to the implanted material. Urinary retention is a frequent early issue because the sling can be a bit tight or swelling and anesthesia can affect bladder emptying, leading to difficulty starting or maintaining urination. Mesh erosion or extrusion can occur when the implanted material gradually wears through vaginal tissue, causing discharge, pain, bleeding, or the need for intervention. Infection is a risk with any surgical implant and may require antibiotics or further treatment if it develops. Pelvic pain can arise from surgical trauma or irritation from the sling material, and voiding dysfunction encompasses ongoing problems with urination, such as weak flow or incomplete bladder emptying due to obstruction or changes in bladder function. These issues are among the most commonly reported after sling procedures, so monitoring for them after surgery is important. The other options don’t align with typical postoperative risks, as they either describe unlikely outcomes (increased urinary flow with no complications) or unrelated problems (hair loss, skin rash) or suggest no follow-up is needed.