Fulfilment of patient goals after tension-free vaginal tape operation for stress urinary incontinence.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate patient-reported goals after a tension-free vaginal tape operation for stress urinary incontinence and the correlation with postoperative incontinence. A prospective study involving 70 women was carried out. Preoperatively, patients completed the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire Urinary Incontinence Short Form (ICIQ-UI SF) and stated three goals for the operation. A telephone interview was performed 3months postoperatively. A Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score from zero to ten estimated the extent to which goals were achieved. Goals were divided into five groups: 1, symptoms; 2, quality of life (physical); 3, quality of life (emotional); 4, sexual function; 5, avoidance. ICIQ-UI SF preoperative mean was 14.9 and postoperative mean was 1.5 (p < 0.05). A total of 210 goals were stated. The majority of the goals (38%) were in group 2 concerning quality of life in the physical domains. Mean VAS score for all goals was 9.1 (SD 2). Thirty-seven patients (53%) fulfilled all their goals. Twenty-one patients (30%) did not have a VAS score of 10, although continent with an ICIQ-UI SF score of zero. Reasons for not achieving a full VAS score were that some still used pads out of fear (n = 10), that their mental focus was still on incontinence (n = 7) or that they had not yet tried some of the physical aims (n = 7). Most patients achieved their goals. The majority of the goals concerned quality of life in the physical domains.