Repeat Transobturator Tape after Failed Mid-Urethral Sling Procedure: Follow-Up with Questionnaire-Based Assessment

Abstract

Objective: To determine if repeat transobturator tape (TOT) is feasible after failed initial synthetic mid-urethral sling (MUS) for stress urinary incontinence, and to ascertain objective physician-determined outcome as well as subjective questionnaire-based outcome for this procedure. Patients and Methods: Between February 2005 and February 2008, a total of 21 patients underwent repeat TOT procedure after failed sling treatment. Initial sling procedures were all synthetic MUS, i.e. tension-free vaginal tape in 5 cases and TOT in 16 cases. Results: At a mean follow-up of 16 months, physician-determined cure was achieved in 55% of patients, improvement in 15% and failure in 30%. Outcome deduced from the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire at a mean follow-up of 17 months showed 53% of patients to be cured and 5% of patients to be improved, but failure was noted in 42% of patients. Conclusions: Repeat TOT after failed synthetic MUS treatment is a feasible procedure with minor morbidity. Repeat TOT provides a reasonable physician-determined success rate, but a lower patient self-reported success rate can be deduced from questionnaires. The transobturator approach seems to show poorer outcomes than the retropubic approach in repeat sling surgery.