Long-term outcomes and quality of life effects of single incision mini sling procedure in stress urinary incontinence patients

Abstract

ObjectiveWe aimed to evaluate the long-term outcomes and quality of life of patients who underwent single incision minisling (SIMS) procedure. Study design62 patients who were diagnosed with stress urinary incontinence (SUI) and received treatment with SIMS procedure (Ophira, Promedon, Argentina) were included in the study. Mean age was 50.73 ± 9.28 years and mean follow-up duration after surgery was 30.68 ± 7.52 months. Preoperative urological and gynecological features of the patients were recorded. Gynecological examination, pelvic ultrasonography, stress test, Q-tip test, cystometry were performed and incontinence and quality of life questionnaires (ICIQ-SF, IIQ-7, UDI-6, VAS-QOL, FSFI) were completed by all patients before and after the operation. ResultsStress urinary incontinence was observed in all patients during pre-op evaluations. 62 patients aged between 35–85 (mean age 50.73 ± 9.28) years were included and follow up duration ranged between 12–44 (average 30.68 ± 7.52) months. In regard to patient evaluations, 27 patients (43.5%) felt that the surgery was very effective, 25 (40.3%) felt surgery was effective and 10 (16.1%) did not report any difference after surgery. In the long-term postoperative follow up; 2 (3.2%) patients had dyspareunia and 7 (11.3%) patients had vaginal tape erosions which were diagnosed 2–40 months postoperatively. According to Q-tip test results, proximal urethral mobility was significantly decreased after surgery. All questionnaire scores were also significantly improved at post-operative evaluations. (P < 0.001) ConclusionsOur study confirmed that the Ophira mini sling technique provided high subjective cure rate and improved symptoms and quality of life in patients with SUI. These results suggest that the single incision mini sling procedure is an advisable alternative to other surgical procedures due to its low complication rates and ease of learning and applying the procedure. This procedure also demonstrated excellent tolerability, minimal pain, low morbidity and increased quality of life scores, in ICIQ-SF, IIQ-7, UDI-6, VAS-QOL, FSFI.