Midurethral sling surgery is the most common surgical treatment for stress urinary incontinence. This study was aimed at identifying risk factors for postoperative complications after midurethral sling surgery using the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database.

Patient charts of 16,491 women who had received midurethral sling surgery between 2014 and 2018 were included. Outcome parameters were postoperative complications within 30 days of surgery and readmission and reoperation rates. Postoperative complications occurred in 4.2% of patients, of which urinary tract infection was the most frequent (3.4%). Older age (≥ 80 years), ASA (American Society of Anesthesiologists) class III and IV, and belonging to minority races were associated with increased odds of complications and readmissions. Overall, 30-day readmission rates and reoperation rates were low (1.5% and 1% respectively).

Results from this large database confirm that midurethral sling surgery is a safe procedure, with low and mostly nonsevere complication rates, even in older patients.