Transobturator tape for female stress incontinence: A day surgery case

Abstract

Aim: To evaluate the effectiveness of transobturator vaginal tape (TOT) in the treatment of female stress urinary incontinence (SUI) and to analyze functional results and quality of life after12 months follow up. Materials and Methods : All women with SUI who underwent TOT procedure from outside to inside under general or regional anesthesia from December 2004 to January 2007 were included in the study. All must have had a minimal follow up of one year. The patients were prospectively evaluated with history including pads use/day, physical examination - pelvic examination, urinalysis, urogenital distress inventory (UDI-6), and analog global satisfaction scale - and urodynamic studies - filling cystometry, pressure-flow studies, and Valsalva leak point pressure. Results: Sixty two consecutive patients who fulfilled the inclusion criteria underwent TOT procedure by one surgeon. The mean age was 52 ± 9 years (range, 34-70 years) and minimal follow up was one year (12-24 months). The mean operative time was 17 ± 4 minutes (15-31) with average amount of bleeding 62 ± 22 cc. We found objectively 89% cure or improvement rate after one year. Conclusion: The out-in transobturator approach is a very effective treatment of SUI with low morbidity and high success rate. However, longer follow up in larger populations should assess the long-term reliability of this attractive procedure.