Thigh exploration for excision of a transobturator sling.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: Groin pain is a known complication of transobturator mesh placement. The objective of this instructional video is to present the surgical technique used to excise the thigh portion of a sling in a patient with persistent thigh pain after placement of a transobturator sling.

METHODS: The featured patient is a 49-year-old woman with a history of bilateral groin pain since undergoing placement of a type one polypropylene transobturator sling. Because of persistent pain after removal of the vaginal portion of the sling, she elected to undergo a bilateral thigh dissection to remove the remaining transobturator mesh arms 14 months after her initial surgery.

RESULTS: A bilateral thigh exploration was completed with successful excision of all remaining mesh.

CONCLUSION: Thigh exploration performed in a systematic fashion is a feasible option for transobturator mesh excision even when the vaginal component of the sling has been previously excised.