Stress urinary incontinence causes leakage during coughing, sneezing, laughing, or exercise.

Urgency and overflow incontinence are treated with medication first, while stress and mixed incontinence may require surgery.

Urodynamic testing evaluates bladder pressure, urine volume, and leakage.

Mini-sling surgery supports the urethra through a small vaginal incision.

The procedure takes 10–20 minutes and leaves no external scar.

Have you ever experienced unexpected urine leakage while laughing with friends, 

coughing or sneezing because of a cold, jumping rope, or doing an energetic workout such as kickboxing?

Urinary leakage can be embarrassing, and many people hesitate to talk about it. 

However, the symptoms may gradually worsen until surgical treatment becomes necessary.

Today, we will discuss urinary incontinence surgery and introduce a relatively simple surgical option known as the mini-sling procedure.

Types of Urinary Incontinence

There are several types of urinary incontinence.

The most common type that can be corrected surgically is stress urinary incontinence. 

It occurs when increased abdominal pressure causes urine to leak and accounts for approximately 80–90% of urinary incontinence cases.

Stress Urinary Incontinence

Stress urinary incontinence occurs when urine leaks due to increased abdominal pressure.

Laughing, coughing, sneezing, jumping, or exercising can place pressure on the bladder and lead to unexpected leakage.

Urgency and Overflow Incontinence

Urgency urinary incontinence is not caused by increased abdominal pressure. 

Instead, it occurs when a person suddenly feels unable to hold urine and leaks before reaching the bathroom.

It may also be accompanied by frequent urination, with the need to urinate gradually becoming more frequent.

Urgency and overflow incontinence are generally not treated surgically at first. Medication is usually considered as the initial treatment.

In contrast, stress urinary incontinence and mixed urinary incontinence that includes a stress component may be corrected through surgery.

How Is the Type of Urinary Incontinence Diagnosed?

To distinguish urgency incontinence from stress incontinence, 

the doctor first reviews the patient’s urinary symptoms through a medical interview and tools such as a bladder diary.

Various examinations may also be performed, but one particularly important test is urodynamic testing.

What Is Urodynamic Testing?

Urodynamic testing is performed to make an accurate diagnosis.

This test evaluates:

• How much discomfort is felt as the bladder fills
• How full the bladder is when coughing creates an urge to urinate
• At what point urine leaks when abdominal pressure increases
• The pressure and volume inside the bladder

A thin catheter is inserted to measure bladder pressure and urine volume directly.

Is Urinary Incontinence Surgery Covered by Insurance?

Urinary incontinence is a medical condition, and surgery may be covered by health insurance.

Coverage criteria vary according to the severity of the condition. 

Patients who meet the relevant requirements may undergo urinary incontinence surgery with health insurance benefits.

If a patient does not meet the criteria for surgery, nonsurgical options may be suggested. 

These may include laser treatment or fillers designed to provide additional support beneath the urethra.

What Is Mini-Sling Surgery?

Mini-sling surgery is a relatively simple surgical treatment for urinary incontinence.

It may be performed under sedation or local anesthesia, and the procedure takes approximately 10–20 minutes.

After local anesthesia is applied near the urethra, an incision of approximately 2 cm is made inside the vagina.

A mesh tape is then inserted and fixed in place to support the weakened or sagging urethra. The tension is adjusted during fixation.

Benefits of Mini-Sling Surgery

Older sling procedures involved placing the sling through the obturator foramen, which could leave small scars around the groin.

In contrast, the mini-sling is inserted only through the vagina. 

Therefore, it does not create an external skin wound or visible scar.

The procedure generally takes only 10–20 minutes. 

Because the mesh tension can be adjusted during surgery, patients may notice an immediate change when urinating.

Who May Be Suitable for Mini-Sling Surgery?

There are several indications for mini-sling surgery.

At our clinic, it is primarily considered for patients with moderate to severe stress urinary incontinence.

Urinary leakage can also affect personal hygiene.

Patients who require immediate surgical improvement should not feel embarrassed about visiting a clinic.

An accurate examination can identify which area is weak and determine whether a simple surgical correction may be appropriate.

As we age, persistent urinary leakage may cause concerns about urine odor and 

make it difficult to go out or participate comfortably in daily activities.

We hope this information about urinary incontinence surgery and the mini-sling procedure is helpful for those experiencing these concerns.