[Assessment of the transobturator male sling by a pelvic MRI].

PURPOSE: To evaluate the usefulness of MRI to assess the anatomical and functional relationships between the transobturator male sling Advance(®) and the uretral sphincter, in patients treated for postprostatectomy urinary incontinence.

PATIENTS: For 12 patients treated for postprostatectomy urinary incontinence using the transobturator male sling Advance(®), a pelvic real-time MRI was performed between 1 and 3 months postoperatively. A comparison between pre- and postoperative MRI was performed in eight patients. The static sequences studied the anatomical relationships between the sling and the uretral sphincter, as well as the impact on the location of the vesico-uretral anastomosis. The dynamic sequences by coughing looked for the existence of an uretral sphincter mobility. Finally, the voiding sequences studied the impact of the sling on the uretral lumen during the micturition.

RESULTS: The position of the sling was always visible, located at a median distance of 5mm from the posterior wall of the uretra. On transverse sections, the angles between the transobturator arms and the horizontal line between the ischial tuberosities varied from 28 to 59 degrees. The vesico-uretral anastomosis location was not modificated between pre and postoperative MRI. On the preop sequences by coughing, four patients had uretral mobility, which didn't exist on postop sequences. To finish, the seven patients who were able to void during MRI, had micturition without uretral stenosis.

CONCLUSION: Pelvic MRI was a useful tool to assess the positioning of the sling and the relationships with the uretral sphincter. When correctly positioned, the sling was retro-uretrally and no urethral stenosis was visible during the micturition.