Procedures

Minimally Invasive Single Incision Sling™ (Solyx™) in Tyler, TX

Dr. Williams is a board-certified urologist specializing in Minimally Invasive Single Incision Sling (“MISIS“) procedures. The “MISIS” procedure is a minimally invasive treatment option for Stress Urinary Incontinence (SUI) that requires a single incision which can be performed in a fraction of the time as traditional procedures and requires only local vaginal anesthesia and mild conscious sedation. Dr Williams has extensive experience performing the MISIS and finds that almost 100% of his patients return to all physical activities including sexual intercourse in just 1-2 weeks. Traditional procedures usually require almost 6-8 weeks for a similar recovery.

If you’re interested in learning more about MISIS or would like to schedule an appointment with Dr. Williams, please call (903) 262-3900 or request an appointment through our secure online form.

Solyx™

The Solyx™ Single Incision Sling is a small 9 cm piece of polypropylene mesh that is placed under the urethra to provide additional support to reduce or eliminate leakage during physical activity. The Solyx Sling allows for a less invasive procedure with only one small incision, providing support to treat your stress urinary incontinence (SUI).

SUI is the involuntary loss of urine during physical activity such as coughing, laughing or sneezing. In women with SUI, weakened pelvic muscles and tissue have caused the bladder and urethra (the canal that carries urine from the bladder) to relax from their normal positions (see Figure 2). A mid-urethral sling system is designed to provide a ribbon of support under the urethra to prevent it from dropping during physical activity (see Figure 3). 

In consultation with Dr. Williams, you will decide whether or not to have a mid-urethral sling procedure with the Solyx Single Incision Sling. Over 18 million women have stress urinary incontinence in the United States.3 The Solyx Single Incision Sling is only one way to treat stress urinary incontinence. Dr. Williams will provide you with recommended options for treating your incontinence and help you make the right treatment decision.

 

Stress Urinary Incontinence Treatment in Tyler, TX.

Benefits of the Solyx™ Single Incision Sling

Like other mid-urethral slings, the Solyx™ Single Incision Sling may help you become dry or lessen the amount of urinary leakage. It is a less invasive approach than the retropubic or transobturator approaches and requires only one, small incision instead of three. The Solyx procedure can be performed under local, regional, or general anesthesia depending on what you and Dr. Williams decide; however, as stated above, almost all of his patients choose local anesthetic around the vaginal region with simple conscious sedation. This allows for a much easier, more comfortable, and faster process of recovery time in the hospital outpatient experience.

In a post-market study, 98 out of 104 patients (94%) reported improvement at 3 years following treatment with Solyx™. The study also showed that Solyx™ has similar safety and efficacy as a transobturator sling at a 3-year follow-up.

Solyx Mesh.

Frequently asked questions about the Solyx™ Single Incision Sling

Many surgical options have been developed, including retropubic, transobturator and single incision slings (see glossary), the difference being how the mesh material is placed under the urethra. Your doctor will recommend which anchoring location is right for you. As disease state and anatomy differ for each patient, outcomes may vary.

No, there are no FDA-approved medication alternatives. SUI is an anatomic problem often treated with surgery.

Polypropylene-based mesh devices have been a mainstay in many medical procedures for over 50 years, including in hernia and tendon repair, sutures, and wound closure.

R. Clay Williams, D.O. offers a minimally invasive single incision sling procedure that takes only 5-9 minutes on average. This procedure is performed on an outpatient basis and requires pelvic rest, no heavy lifting, and no vaginal penetration for 1-2 weeks. In comparison to other slings, this procedure requires minimal anesthesia and only deep sedation with propofol in most cases, with recovery time reduced from 6-8 weeks.

Dr. Williams will determine the type of anesthesia you will have during the procedure. Once the anesthesia takes effect, your Dr. Williams will begin. A small incision will be made in the vaginal area. Next, the synthetic mesh implant is placed to create a “sling” of support under the urethra. When your doctor is satisfied with the position of the mesh, he or she will close the small vaginal incision. The Solyx Sling procedure is usually performed as an outpatient procedure, in which case, most patients return home the same day.

Before you are discharged from the hospital, you may be given a prescription for pain medication to relieve any discomfort you may experience. At the discretion of Dr. Williams, there may be some physical restrictions, such as heavy lifting and pelvic rest, and most patients resume moderate activities shortly after the procedure. The goal of surgery is to restore your quality of life allowing you to resume life the way you want to live it.

As with any surgical procedure for the treatment of incontinence, Solyx surgery could also result in potential complications. For a complete list of potential complications, see the end of the brochure and consult Dr. Williams about your specific surgery and situation.

Most women see results right after the procedure. Talk with Dr. Williams about what you should expect.

There is no surgery for incontinence that has a 100% cure rate. In a post-market study, 98 out of 104 patients (94%) reported improvement at 3 years following treatment with Solyx.4

Most insurance plans cover the surgical treatment of stress urinary incontinence. Check with your insurance company to determine your specific coverage.

Schedule a "MISIS™" Consultation in Tyler, TX

If you would like to learn more about the Solyx™ “MISIS” and how it can help you manage your stress urinary incontinence, please call our urology clinic at (903) 262-3900 today to schedule an appointment.