Surgical Techniques for Urinary Incontinence in Young Women—Narrative Review

Urinary incontinence (UI) is a widespread worldwide gynecological pathology with a negative impact on women’s quality of life. We performed a narrative review and present a general, descriptive, and comprehensive perspective about surgical techniques for urinary incontinence in young women. Even though parity and vaginal births represent important risk factors for the occurrence of UI, it is also common among young women who are nulliparous. Lifestyle, obesity, smoking, alcohol consumption, and excessive stretching exercises can contribute to the occurrence of UI. Correct diagnosis and treatment may reduce the negative effects of UI on daily activities. Disease management varies depending on the three types of UI: stress, urge, and mixed. Conservative treatment involves lifestyle changes, pharmacological therapy, and pelvic floor muscle training. If symptoms persist, surgical techniques such as midurethral/suburethral slings, anterior colporrhaphy, and retropubic/laparoscopic colposuspension are necessary. Transvaginal tension-free vaginal tape obturator (TVT-O) is the most common surgical technique for the treatment of UI. Its effectiveness has been proven by reducing symptoms and improving quality of life. Alternative modern treatment methods are vaginal laser therapy, periurethral bulking agents injection, or local injection with autologous platelet-rich plasma. Surgical techniques for the treatment of UI are in continuous development and improvement considering the increased incidence of this pathology and the need of patients to improve symptoms and quality of life.