Treatment Overview
The Endoscopic Mid-Urethral Sling (MUS) procedure is a modern, minimally invasive surgical treatment for stress urinary incontinence (SUI), a condition where urine leaks during coughing, sneezing, or physical activity due to weakened pelvic-floor support.
This procedure involves the placement of a narrow synthetic sling (or mesh tape) beneath the mid-portion of the urethra to provide support and maintain proper closure during physical stress.
In Korea, endoscopic sling surgery is performed using advanced minimally invasive and image-guided techniques, ensuring high precision, minimal discomfort, and rapid recovery. Korean uro-gynecology centers specialize in both transobturator (TOT) and retropubic (TVT) sling procedures, performed with exceptional accuracy under local, spinal, or general anesthesia.
Purpose & Benefits
Purpose:
- To restore urethral support and improve bladder control in women with stress urinary incontinence.
- To create a “backboard” under the urethra that maintains closure during physical exertion.
- To provide a durable, quick, and minimally invasive surgical option for urinary leakage.
- To offer an effective alternative to traditional bladder suspension or open surgeries.
Benefits:
- Minimally invasive, with tiny incisions and short procedure time (20–40 minutes).
- Very high success rate (85–95%) for continence restoration.
- Short hospital stay—often performed as day surgery.
- Rapid recovery with minimal postoperative pain.
- Long-term durability and low recurrence rates.
- Safe and effective for most women, including postpartum and menopausal patients.
- In Korea, enhanced with endoscopic visualization and precision instruments for optimal placement.
Ideal Candidates
Endoscopic Mid-Urethral Sling surgery is suitable for:
- Women with mild to moderate stress urinary incontinence due to urethral hypermobility or weakened pelvic-floor support.
- Postpartum women with persistent urinary leakage unresponsive to conservative therapies.
- Perimenopausal or postmenopausal women seeking a minimally invasive solution.
- Patients preferring a short, low-risk procedure with lasting results.
- Women in good overall health with no active urinary infection.
- Those who previously failed non-surgical management such as pelvic-floor exercises, RF, or laser tightening.
Not suitable for:
- Women with untreated urinary tract infection, severe prolapse, or intrinsic sphincter deficiency (ISD) requiring more advanced procedures.
Possible Risks & Complications
The Endoscopic Mid-Urethral Sling is considered safe and well-established worldwide. However, potential risks include:
- Temporary urinary retention or difficulty voiding.
- Mild bruising, swelling, or tenderness at the incision site.
- Transient urgency or frequency (resolves within weeks).
- Mesh-related issues such as exposure or erosion (rare with modern biocompatible materials used in Korea).
- Rare infection or bladder perforation (detected and corrected during surgery).
Korean hospitals follow international safety protocols and use FDA-approved, lightweight, and flexible sling materials to minimize complications.
Surgical Techniques Used
Korea is recognized for its leadership in minimally invasive uro-gynecologic surgery, particularly for sling-based bladder suspension procedures.
The main endoscopic sling techniques used in Korea include:
- Retropubic Mid-Urethral Sling (TVT – Tension-Free Vaginal Tape):
- The most widely used method.
- The sling is placed under the mid-urethra and guided up behind the pubic bone using an endoscopic needle.
- Provides excellent urethral support and high success rates.
- Transobturator Mid-Urethral Sling (TOT):
- The sling passes through the obturator foramen (groin area), reducing the risk of bladder or bowel injury.
- Offers a lower risk of postoperative voiding issues.
- Single-Incision Mini-Sling:
- Performed through a single vaginal incision with no external cuts.
- Ideal for mild SUI and patients seeking ultra-minimal downtime.
Korean Advancements Include:
- Endoscopic camera guidance for accurate sling positioning.
- Precision-tensioning techniques to avoid over-tightening and maintain natural urethral movement.
- Lightweight, monofilament mesh systems that integrate safely with native tissue.
- 3D anatomical mapping and intraoperative imaging for customized placement.
- Optional biologic sling alternatives (using the patient’s tissue) for mesh-sensitive patients.
Recovery & Aftercare
Recovery:
- Short hospital stay; most patients return home the same or next day.
- Minimal postoperative discomfort, managed with oral pain medication.
- Normal activities may resume within 2–3 days; avoid heavy lifting or strenuous activity for 4–6 weeks.
Aftercare:
- Avoid sexual intercourse, tampons, and baths for 4–6 weeks to allow proper healing.
- Maintain good hygiene to prevent infection.
- Attend scheduled follow-ups for sling evaluation and bladder function testing.
- Perform gentle pelvic-floor exercises as recommended by your surgeon.
- Stay well-hydrated and avoid constipation to reduce pelvic pressure.
- Periodic checkups every 6–12 months to monitor long-term outcomes.
Results & Longevity
Results:
- Rapid improvement in urinary control — many women experience dryness within days.
- Restored urethral stability and bladder-neck support.
- Reduction or complete cessation of leakage during stress activities.
- Minimal visible scarring and high cosmetic satisfaction.
Longevity:
- Results typically last 10 years or more with proper postoperative care.
- Korean clinics report long-term success rates exceeding 85–90%.
- Maintenance pelvic-floor therapy and lifestyle management further enhance durability.
- The combination of precise endoscopic techniques and advanced materials ensures consistent, long-lasting results.
Treatment Process in Korea
Why Korea is a Top Destination:
- Korea is internationally renowned for cutting-edge pelvic-floor and uro-gynecology surgery.
- The use of high-definition endoscopy and advanced sling systems ensures accuracy and minimal invasiveness.
- Korean surgeons are fellowship-trained in minimally invasive uro-gynecology and robotic surgery.
- Hospitals feature private, women-only surgical suites ensuring comfort and discretion.
- Clinics integrate preoperative diagnostics, custom sling selection, and postoperative pelvic rehabilitation for optimal results.
- International patients benefit from transparent care packages, bilingual medical staff, and comprehensive follow-up support.
Typical Surgical Process:
- Consultation: Urodynamic testing, pelvic-floor examination, and imaging to assess bladder and urethral function.
- Preparation: Anesthesia administered (local, spinal, or general).
- Endoscopic Sling Placement: A thin sling is positioned beneath the mid-urethra via a small vaginal incision using a needle-passing system.
- Verification: Cystoscopy (endoscopic inspection) ensures proper sling placement and bladder integrity.
- Closure: Minimal sutures required; healing occurs naturally.
- Postoperative Observation: Bladder voiding assessed before discharge.
- Follow-Up: Regular reviews at 2, 6, and 12 weeks to ensure recovery and continence.
Unique Korean Methods & Technology:
- High-definition endoscopic visualization for perfect alignment.
- Customized sling tension adjustment tailored to individual urethral mobility.
- 3D anatomical mapping systems to guide precise placement.
- Integration with pelvic-floor EMS therapy post-surgery to strengthen muscles.
- Hybrid programs combining surgery with vaginal laser tightening for comprehensive rejuvenation.
Cost Range (Details)
The cost of Endoscopic Mid-Urethral Sling Surgery in Korea depends on hospital type, sling system, and whether combination therapies are used:
- Standard TVT or TOT Sling Surgery: ₩ 4,000,000 – 7,000,000 KRW (≈ US $3,000 – $5,300)
- Mini-Sling Procedure: ₩ 3,000,000 – 5,000,000 KRW (≈ US $2,300 – $3,800)
- Robotic-Assisted or Hybrid Sling Procedure: ₩ 7,000,000 – 10,000,000 KRW (≈ US $5,300 – $7,600)
- Comprehensive Package (Diagnostics + Rehab): ₩ 9,000,000 – 13,000,000 KRW (≈ US $6,900 – $9,900)
Korea’s costs are significantly lower than in Western countries, while maintaining world-class technology and internationally trained specialists.
Popular Clinics in Korea
- University-affiliated uro-gynecology hospitals in Seoul specializing in sling and continence surgery.
- Gangnam-based women’s centers performing advanced TVT, TOT, and mini-sling procedures.
- Specialized pelvic-floor clinics offering minimally invasive and robotic-assisted incontinence treatments.
- Postpartum recovery and wellness centers integrating pelvic rehabilitation after sling surgery.
- Women-only private hospitals providing aesthetic, functional, and medical pelvic care in one program.
