What is the primary target of midurethral sling surgery?

• A. To drain the bladder via a catheter.
• B. To provide support to the urethra during increased abdominal pressure.
• C. To permanently seal the urethral opening.
• D. To cure urge incontinence with medications.

Answer: (B)

Midurethral sling surgery is designed to provide support to the urethra so it can stay closed when intra-abdominal pressure rises, such as during coughing, sneezing, or lifting. This creates a supportive “hammock” under the urethra and bladder neck, improving urethral resistance specifically during stress events when leakage would otherwise occur. It’s a treatment for stress urinary incontinence due to urethral hypermobility or sphincter weakness, not a bladder drainage procedure, not a method to permanently seal the urethra, and not a therapy for urge incontinence, which is typically managed with medications or other approaches targeting detrusor overactivity.