Which surgical procedure is often performed for severe stress incontinence?

Sling surgery is a common surgical procedure specifically designed to treat severe stress incontinence, particularly in women. This procedure involves placing a small strip of mesh or synthetic material beneath the mid-urethra to provide support and help prevent involuntary leakage of urine that occurs during activities that put pressure on the bladder, such as coughing, sneezing, or exercise.

Stress incontinence is characterized by the involuntary loss of urine that happens when pressure is exerted on the bladder, usually due to weakness in the pelvic floor muscles and tissues. Sling surgery aims to create a supportive structure that can help maintain proper alignment and function of the urethra during physical exertion, thereby reducing episodes of incontinence.

The other surgical options listed do not directly address stress incontinence. Prostatectomy involves the removal of the prostate gland, often due to conditions like prostate cancer, and is more related to urinary symptoms caused by prostate enlargement rather than specifically targeting stress incontinence. Cystectomy, the removal of the bladder, is performed in cases of bladder cancer or severe bladder dysfunction, while nephrectomy is the surgical removal of a kidney, typically for kidney disease or tumors. Hence, these procedures are not suitable or relevant treatments for stress incontinence.