Factors predicting failure after the tension-free vaginal tape obturator procedure for stress urinary incontinence

Abstract

Objective: The present study evaluated clinical factors associated with failure following use of the tension-free vaginal tape obturator (TVT-O) procedure for stress urinary incontinence (SUI). Methods: The retrospective study involved 141 patients who underwent surgery for urodynamic stress incontinence be- tween January 2004 and December 2008 with follow-ups for at least 1 year postoperatively. Medical records were reviewed to obtain clinical characteristics and surgical outcomes. Failure was defined as a subjective complaint of leakage at 1-year after surgery. Results: The TVT-O success rate was 92.9%. The success and failure groups were found to be similar in terms of demo- graphic and clinical characteristics. Preoperative urodynamic study showed that the only factor associated with failure was a preoperative abdominal leak point pressure (ALPP) <60 cm H2O (odds ratio, 5.14; P=0.035). Conclusion: The present study found that an ALPP<60 cm H2O was independently predictive of failure in SUI patients un- dergoing the TVT-O procedure.