Transobturator Tension-free Vaginal Tape Research Articles

Clinical efficacy of tension-free vaginal tape-ischiopubic ramus versus transobturator tension-free vaginal tape in the management of female stress urinary incontinence.

Stress urinary incontinence (SUI), a prevalent condition among middle-aged and elderly women in China, is characterized by the involuntary leakage of urine during instances of increased abdominal pressure [1]. Although SUI is not life-threatening, it substantially impacts patients' physical and psychological well-being, impairs their social interactions, and diminishes their overall quality of life. The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the clinical efficacy of tension-free vaginal tape-ischiopubic ramus (TVT-IR) and transobturator tension-free vaginal tape (TVT-O) in the treatment of female stress urinary incontinence (SUI). A retrospective analysis of clinical data from 83 female SUI patients was conducted, dividing them into a TVT-IR group (n= 41) and a TVT-O group (n= 42) based on the surgical procedures employed. Perioperative indices, surgical efficacy, complications, symptom improvement pre- and post-operation (3 months), urodynamic measurements, and indices related to pelvic floor function and quality of life were compared between the two groups. The TVT-IR group had significantly shorter operative time than the TVT-O group (P< 0.05). Three months after surgery, both groups had significantly lower frequency of incontinence, incontinence score, and number of nocturnal urination, significantly higher Pdet, ALPP, Qmax, and MUCP, significantly higher class I and class II fiber muscle strength and muscle potential, and significantly higher I-QOL scores (P< 0.05). The aforementioned indicators were superior in the TVT-IR group compared to the TVT-O group three months after surgery (P< 0.05). Both TVT-IR and TVT-O are effective in treating SUI, with comparable complication rates.

Intra-obturator bupivacaine injection and post-operative pain following the trans-obturator tension-free vaginal tape procedure: randomized study.

To assess the effectiveness of a long-acting anesthetic injection into the obturator membrane for pain relief in women undergoing trans-obturator tension-free vaginal tape. A total of 22 women were randomized for the intra-operative injection of bupivacaine into one of their obturator membranes: the left or right side. All the participants were asked to define their groin pain on a visual analog scale (scored 0-10 cm) at 1, 6, 12, and 24h post-operative. For each woman, pain scores were compared between the local anesthetic-injected side and the opposite side. Statistically significant differences were not observed in groin pain scores between the bupivacaine injection side and the no injection side at 1h (p = 0.76), 6h (p = 1), 12h (p = 0.95), and 24h (p = 0.82) post-operative. In women who undergo trans-obturator tension-free vaginal tape procedures, intra-operative intra-obturator injection of local anesthetics is not effective in alleviating the characteristic post-operative groin pain. This study is registered on ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03479996).

Sunt meşele necesare în tratamentul incontinenţei urinare de efort la femei?

Introduction. Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) impacts over 20% of women, and its prevalence is increasing with the aging of population. This review assesses mesh surgery for SUI treatment by analyzing midurethral slings, retropubic urethropexy, bulking agents and artificial sphincters. Methodology. We searched the PubMed database from 1995 to 2023 inclusive, and 31 studies met our inclusion criteria, focusing on women aged 20-70 years old with SUI, excluding nervous system diseases affecting the function of the bladder. Results. Minimally invasive midurethral slings – particularly transvaginal tension-free tape (TVT) and transobturator tension-free vaginal tape (TOT) – have become the standard of care, endorsed by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2011. TVT offers reduced hospital stays and shorter operating times, with risks including bladder perforation and infections. TOT, while minimizing bladder perforation risks, may increase groin pain. Mini-slings and autologous fascial slings show varying success; the latter has higher success but more complications than Burch colposuspension. Retropubic urethropexy is effective on the long term, but with longer recovery and more complications. Conclusions. Mesh-based midurethral slings (MUS) are pivotal in SUI treatment, providing high short-term success and enhanced quality of life. Effective SUI management requires individualized treatment, with a fine balance between benefits and risks. With emerging regenerative medicine, the future of SUI treatment is promising. Until then, MUS remains a key modality, necessitating careful patient selection and ongoing research to refine the surgical outcomes and improve the quality of life for SUI patients.

Medium Term Outcomes of TVT-Abbrevo for the Treatment of Stress Urinary Incontinence: Efficacy and Safety at 5-Year Follow-Up.

Background and objectives: Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) is the most common type of urinary incontinence, affecting approximately 46% of adult women. After failure of conservative treatment, the mid-urethral sling (MUS) is considered the most effective and safe surgical procedure for SUI. In 2012, Waltregny et al. introduced a new trans-obturator tension-free vaginal tape (TVT) procedure, named TVT-abbrevo (TVT-A). The aim of the present study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the TVT-A procedure in women with pure SUI at 5-year follow-up. Materials and Methods: All women who complained of pure SUI symptoms with concomitant urodynamic stress incontinence (USI) were prospectively enrolled and treated with the TVT-A procedure. Postoperative subjective outcome measures included: International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire–Short Form (ICI-Q SF), Patient Global Impression of Improvement (PGI-I) scale, and patient degree of satisfaction scale. A PGI-I score ≤ 2 and a patient-satisfaction score ≥8 were used to define subjective success. Objective success was defined as the absence of urine leakage during a cough stress test. Adverse events were collected according to the Clavien–Dindo classification during follow-up. Results: Univariable analysis was used to investigate outcomes. Fifty women who met the inclusion criteria underwent TVT-A implantation. At 5 years after TVT-A implantation, 38 out of 45 (84.4%) patients were subjectively cured (p for trend 0.05), and 40 out of 45 (88.9%) patients were objectively cured (p for trend 0.04). A significant trend of de novo OAB symptoms was reported (22.2% [10/45]) at the 5-year follow-up. No serious early or late complications such as urethral/bladder injury, persistent groin-thigh pain, and sexual dysfunction that required mesh removal were detected. The univariate analysis did not reveal any risk factors (i.e., age, body mass index (BMI), menopause, obstetric factors, and preoperative ICIQ- SF questionnaire) statistically associated with failure of the TVT-A procedure. Conclusions: In conclusion, the 5-year follow-up results of this study demonstrated that TVT-A is a safe and effective option for treatment of SUI with a very low rate of post-operative groin–thigh pain

Long-term postoperative follow-up results of transobturator autologous rectus fascial sling versus transobturator tension-free vaginal tapes for female stress urinary incontinence: Randomized controlled clinical trial.

To evaluate the outcomes of a new surgical technique for the treatment of stress urinary incontinence (SUI). This randomized study included 132 index patients from January 2017 to May 2021, 60 applied with autologous facia and 60 with transobturator tension-free vaginal tape (TVT-O). The primary endpoint was dryness (negative stress test and 0 pad use per day) and this was assessed at 3, 6, 12, and 24 months. The secondary endpoints were the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire short form (ICIQ-SF) and the urinary incontinence quality of life (QoL) at 3, 6, 12, and 24 months. The dryness rate at 24 months was 92.4% (49/53) for patients with transobturator autologous rectus fascial sling (TO-AFS) and 94.6% (53/56) for those with TVT-O (p = 0.47). No difference was determined between the TO-AFS and TVT-O groups in respect of the ICIQ-SF and QoL scores at 2 years postoperatively (p = 0.87). There were five postoperative complications in the TO-AFS group (one urinary retention, one hematoma at suprapubic incision line, and three intermittent groin pains) and four in the TVT-O group (four persistent groin pain) (p = 0.98). The objective cure rates of the 24-month outcomes of TO-AFS indicate that this novel surgical technique seems to be a highly effective, safe, and feasible procedure for the treatment of SUI, but further studies including long-term follow-up are mandatory to confirm these preliminary data.

Retrospective analysis clinical characteristics of female stress urinary incontinence and efficacy of transobturator tension-free vaginal tape procedure

Objective To explore the clinical characteristics of patients with female stress urinary incontinence(SUI) and efficacy of Transobturator Tension-free vaginal tape procedure. Methods We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 319 cases who were operated transobturator tension free vaginal tape in Shanghai Changhai Hospital Affiliated of Naval Medical University from Oct.2009 to Jun.2018. Patients age ranged from 39 to 91 years old, with the average age of(59.2±9.7)years old. 145(45.5%) patients aged ≥60 years old. Among them, 155 (48.6%) patients with moderate SUI, 164(51.4%) with severe SUI.96 cases(30.1%) hypertension, 24(7.5%)diabetes, 2(0.6%)had not given birth, 317(99.4%)patients had given birth more than once. 31(9.7%) coexisting pelvic organ prolapse with POP-Q stage 2 and above. Maximum urinary flow rate ranged 5.2-72.6 ml/s. Cystometric capacity ranged 56.7-1 013.6 ml. Average preoperative ICIQ-SF score was 13.9 (range 9-19). Results Operative time of 288 TVT-O procedures ranged 19-60 min, and 31 cases in the surgical management of cystocele with concomitant ranged 50-120 min. A total of 265 patients were evaluable followed up for 12-24 months, Objective cure rate and subjective cure rate were achieved in 95.8%(254 cases) and 93.6%(248 cases) respectively. POP was cured in 96.8% patients.Postoperative complications were 10.6% groin pain, 4.5% urgency, others including urinary tract infection(3.4%), de novo dysuresia(2.6%), dyspareunia(1.1%), and one case of bladder injury, one case sling erosion and one case scar hyperplasia. Conclusions Female stress urinary incontinence were mainly in middle-aged and elderly people who had severely psychological quality of life lasting for several years. TVT-O may achieve a high success or improvement rate and no serious adverse effects. One operation could correct the stress urinary incontinence and simultaneously correct prolapse. Key words: Urinary incontinence, stress; Clinical features; Transobturator tension-free vaginal tape

The challenge of complex wound healing caused by necrotizing fasciitis after infection of tension-free vaginal transobturator tape (TVT-O) incontinence material

Pelvic organ prolapse with or without stress urinary incontinence (SUI) is a common gynecological condition that occurs predominantly in middle and old age. Tension-free vaginal tape (TVT) technique is a surgical procedure for treatment of female SUI that is used worldwide. Severe complications are extremely rare. The authors present treatment methods with which they have successfully used for such cases. The Ljubljana University Medical Center carried out 2,587 TVT operations for genuine SUI between 1998 and 2017. The authors carried out a retrospective study to determine long-term success. However, in all of these years, they treated only two serious complications involving necrotizing fasciitis. Both patients were 61-years old, the first patient suffered necrotizing fasciitis shortly after her transobturator TVT (TVT-O) procedure, and the second six years after the initial surgery. Both of them had had repeated extensive fasciectomy, soft tissue debridement, and various modern wound dressing changes, and one of them had had negative pressure wound therapy. Severe complications of TVT-O are rare but present a possibility for great morbidity and mortality. Early surgical treatment plays an important role, together with additional medication.

Transobturator tape material detected in the bladder neck: a case report

IntroductionStress urinary incontinence surgeries (transobturator tape and tension-free vaginal tape) are safely performed with success rates over 90%. The transobturator tape procedure attracted more attention due to the lack of major complications, such as intraabdominal organ and vascular injuries, related to the tension-free vaginal tape procedure. Although there are no major or mortality-related complications, more lower urinary complaints, especially vaginal erosion, are reported in transobturator tape surgery. Here we present a rare complication of transobturator tape surgery: the accidental placement of mesh material in the bladder neck. With this case report, we aimed to discuss the diagnosis and management of misplaced transobturator tape material.Case presentationA 38-year-old Caucasian woman who had stress urinary incontinence that had persisted for 6 years underwent transobturator tape surgery in a different clinic 2 years ago. Subsequently, she presented to our clinic with lower urinary tract complaints such as incontinence and dysuria. A physical examination was unremarkable besides total incontinence. A diagnostic cystoscopy was performed and sling material that crossed her bladder neck from 3 o’clock to 10 o’clock was identified. The misplaced transobturator tape material was cut endoscopically with an internal urethrotomy knife. Afterwards, a midurethral incision was made and mesh parts were removed bilaterally. After successful removal of the mesh material, a new transobturator tape was placed.ConclusionsEven though transobturator tape surgery is a safe and effective procedure for stress urinary incontinence, certain complications can be encountered. Misplacement of the mesh material through the bladder neck is a rare complication and can be managed by successfully removing the mesh material and appropriately placing new transobturator tape material.

Comparison between Anterior Colporrhaphy with Kelly's Plication and Tension Free Vaginal Tape-Transobturator Approach (TVT-O) in the Treatment of Mild Stress Urinary Incontinence

Comparison between Anterior Colporrhaphy with Kelly's Plication and Tension Free Vaginal Tape-Transobturator Approach (TVT-O) in the Treatment of Mild Stress Urinary Incontinence

The long-term effectiveness analysis of retropubic and transobturator tension-free vaginal tape in the treatment of female stress urinary incontinence

Objective To compare the long-term outcomes of the retropubic tension-free vaginal tape (TVT) versus the transobturator tension-free vaginal tape (TVT-O) for women with stress urinary incontinence (SUI). Methods From July 2001 to June 2011, data of 120 female patients with SUI were retrospectively reviewed, of which 45 patients received TVT treatment, while 75 patients received TVT-O. The median age in TVT group was 45.1 years (range 35-72 years), and the median age in TVT-O group was 50.5 years (range 39-76 years). We retrospectively analyzed the long-term subjective effect, objective effect and the rate of complications in the two groups. Results Median follow-up period was 121 months (range 72-192 months). The complete satisfaction rate was 89%(40/45) in TVT group, and 92%(69/75) in TVT-O group, with no statistical difference between the two groups. The negative rate of cough test was 84.4%(38/45) in TVT group, and 76.0%(57/75)in TVT-O group, with a statistically significant difference. The rate of urinary tract injury was 8.9% (4/45)in TVT group, and 4.0%(3/75) in TVT-O group. The rate of thigh pain was 0 in TVT group, and 6.7%(3/45) in TVT-O group. The rate of micturition frequency and urinary incomplete emptying after operations was 6.7%(5/75) in TVT group, and 5.3%(4/75) in TVT-O group. Conclusions The long-term subjective effect between TVT and TVT-O groups was similar. The objective effect in TVT group was better. There was no statistical difference in complication rate between the two groups, which showed different types of complications in different procedures. Key words: Stress urinary incontinence(SUI); Tension-free vaginal tape(TVT); Transobturator vaginal tape(TVT-O); Long-term effect

Efficacy of the inside-out tramsobturator tension-free vaginal tape (TVT-ABBREVO) for the treatment of stress urinary incontinence after a 12-month follow-up

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of the inside-out tension-free vaginal tape transobturator approach or TVT-Obturator system (TVT-ABBREVO) in women with stress urinary incontinence (SUI). This is a prospective single arm study of women with SUI who underwent a TVT-ABBREVO procedure. The inclusion criterion was a diagnosis of SUI urodynamically proven without detrusor over activity. SUI was defined as involuntary urine leakage with stress in the absence of detrusor over activity with or without intrinsic sphincter deficiency. Before, and 12 months after surgery women received urodynamic test, pelvic examination, and a personal interview using the Urogenital Distress Inventory (UDI) and the Incontinence Impact Questionnaire (IIQ). The primary outcome was the incidence of incontinency through cough stress test during the urodynamic exam. A total of 90 women were included in the analysis. Our analysis showed that the incidence of incontinence through cough stress test during the urodynamic exam was significantly less 12 months after the intervention (100% vs 3%; P-value =0.001). Moreover, we found a significantly improvement of the quality of life measured by UDI score (13±4.5 vs 7.3±2.2 points; P-value 0.01) and IIQ score (14±5.7 vs 8.1 vs 3.1 points; P-value 0.02). No intraoperative complications were noticed. TVT-ABBREVO significantly reduced the incidence of stress urinary incontinence. In the authors’ experience, this technique resulted technically simple and provided high objective and subjective long-term efficacy, a clinically meaningful improvement in patient quality of life, and an excellent safety profile.

Retropubic versus transobturator tension-free vaginal tape (TVT vs TVT-O): Five-year results of the Austrian randomized trial.

To compare outcomes of the retropubic versus the transobturator tension-free vaginal tape (TVT vs TVT-O) at 5 years. A total of 569 women undergoing surgery for primary stress incontinence were randomized to receive a retropubic or a transobturator tensionfree vaginal tape (TVT or TVT-O). Follow-up at 5 years included clinical examination, urodynamic studies and quality of life. The primary outcome measure was continence defined as a negative cough stress test at a volume of 300 mL. Secondary outcomes included urodynamic parameters, complications and quality of life.ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT 0041454). Three hundred and thirty-one patients (59%) were evaluated at 5 years (277 were seen, examined and completed questionnaires; 54 only completed questionnaires). No significant differences were seen in rates of a negative cough stress test (83% vs 76%, respectively), urodynamic parameters and complications. Quality-of-life improved significantly in both groups, without significant differences between the groups. Erosion rates were 5.2% and 4.5%, and reoperation rates were 4.1% and 3.2% respectively. At 5 years, subjective and objective results after TVT and TVT-O are stable and similar, without statistical significant differences between the procedures. Major long-term problems appear rare.

Long-term outcomes of transobturator tapes in women with stress urinary incontinence: E-TOT randomised controlled trial.

To assess the long-term patient-reported outcomes and adverse events following surgery using transobturator tension-free vaginal tape (TO-TVT). Postal follow-up of the E-TOT randomised controlled trial (RCT). A tertiary urogynaecology centre in the UK; all procedures took place in 2005-2007. A total of 341 women were randomised to receive either 'inside-out' TVT-O (Ethicon Inc., Somerville, NJ, USA) or 'outside-in' TOT-ARIS (Coloplast Corp., Minneapolis, MN, USA) procedure. Long-term follow-up (median 9years) using validated symptom severity and quality-of-life (QoL) questionnaires. Statistical analysis was performed using spss22.0 and GraphPad statistics2014. The primary outcome was patient-reported success rate, defined as 'very much/much improved' on the Patient's Global Impression of Improvement (PGI-I) scale. Secondary outcomes included impact on women's QoL and sexual function, adverse events, and re-operations for stress urinary incontinence (SUI). The adjusted response rate was 67.8% and the median follow-up period was 9.2years. The overall patient-reported success rate was 71.6%, with a further 14% reporting 'improvement', and there was no significant difference between inside-out and outside-in groups (P=0.76; odds ratio, OR0.8676; 95% confidence interval, 95%CI 0.4744-1.5865). The success rate showed a significant reduction compared with 1-year results (71.6 versus 80%; P=0.004), but a clinically insignificant reduction when compared with the 3-year results (71.6 versus 73.1%). A total of 7.96% underwent further continence surgery, the tape extrusion/erosion rate was 4.5%, and groin pain/discomfort was reported in 4.32%, with only 1.4% requiring treatment. This is the largest and longest follow-up randomised trial of TO-TVT. TO-TVT is associated with 71.6% patient-reported success rate, 4% groin pain/discomfort, and 8% continence re-operation rate at a median of 9years follow-up. The success rate is almost stable after 3years. The success rate for TO-TVT is 71% at 9years, and is almost stable after 3years; 8% required repeat surgery.

Body mass index based evaluation of 6-year outcomes after transobturator tension-free vaginal tape for female urinary incontinence.

The long-term results will be presented according to the body mass index (BMI) rates for transobturator tension-free vaginal. Three hundred nineteen female patients were evaluated (2008-2014). Their incontinence was classified according to the Stamey classification. The International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Short form was filled in before and after surgery. The Pelvic Organ Prolapse quantification system was utilized. The Female Sexual Function Index and the International Index of Erectile Functions were asked to be filled in. Their satisfaction level was assessed in the sixth year with the modified Clavien classification system. BMI cut-off points for public health action for the Asian population were adopted in the present study as follows: 18.5-23.0 kg/m2 (normal), 23.1-27.4 kg/m2 (high) and at least 27.5 kg/m2 (obese), respectively. The median success rate on the 12th month was calculated as 81.25% in the follow-ups after TOT; it was observed that the median success rate after 72 months decreased to 79.15%. Significant improvements were observed in the Female Sexual Function Index and the Index of Erectile Dysfunction. The objective cure rates detected according to normal, high and obese BMI rates, respectively, were 93.1%, 75.9% and 81.4%, while the patient satisfaction rates were 83.3%, 81.3% and 83.1%, respectively. It was observed that the objective and subjective patient satisfaction rates were very good in the long term in all BMI groups. No statistically significant differences were observed in perioperative complication rate, 6-year success rates and patient satisfaction among the three different BMI groups in the long term.

Long-term outcomes for transobturator tension-free vaginal tapes in women with urodynamic mixed urinary incontinence.

To assess the long-term patient reported outcomes following transobturator tension-free vaginal tapes (TO-TVT) in women with urodynamic mixed urinary incontinence (MUI). A secondary analysis of the 9-year follow-up of the E-TOT study: 341 women with predominant stress urinary incontinence symptoms were randomized to undergo either inside-out or outside-in TO-TVT between April 2005 and April 2007. Forty-eight women had preoperative urodynamic MUI and were available for 9-year follow-up. Primary outcome was the patient-reported success rate defined as very/much improved on Patient's Global Impression of Improvement PGI-I. Secondary outcomes included impact on women's quality of life, sexual function, overactive bladder symptoms,and late adverse events. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS v.23. Forty-eight women completed the 9-year follow-up, with adjusted response rate of 63%. The success based on the PGI-I was 64.6% (n = 31), with a further 14.6% (n = 7) who reported "improved." There was no significant difference between groups (OR 1.11; 95%CI 0.33, 3.70; P > 0.999). Clinically significant improvement in quality of life was found in 85.3%. Cure of urgency and UUI was reported by 35% and 41%, whereas worsening was reported in 6.5% and 2.3%, respectively. One patient reported chronic groin/leg pain. The small sample size and the sizeable loss to follow-up are limitations in this study. This is the first study to report the long-term outcomes of TO-TVT in women with urodynamic MUI; TO-TVT is associated with a good and sustained patient-reported success rate in women with MUI up to 9-years follow-up.

Long-term outcomes of transobturator tension-free vaginal tapes as secondary continence procedures.

To assess the long-term patient-reported outcomes following TO-TVT as a secondary continence procedure in women with recurrent stress urinary incontinence (R-SUI). A secondary analysis of the 9-year follow-up of the E-TOT study was performed: 341 women with predominant SUI symptoms were randomised to undergo either Inside-out or Outside-in TO-TVT between April 2005 and April 2007. Forty-six women had R-SUI following previously failed continence surgery at time of randomisation and are the basis of this analysis as a one single cohort. Primary outcome was the patient-reported success rate defined as very/much improved on Patient's Global Impression of Improvement (PGI-I). Secondary outcomes included late adverse events and impact on women's quality of life and sexual function. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 23. Sixty-three per cent completed the 9-year follow-up. The success based on the PGI-I was 62.1% with no significant difference between groups (OR 5.33; 95% CI 1.03, 27.76; p=0.094). Clinically significant improvement in QoL was found in 84.2%. Adverse events included vaginal erosions (n=3) and groin pain (n=2). The small sample size is a limitation in this study; nevertheless, this is one of the largest cohorts reported for women with R-SUI and the first to report the long-term outcomes of TO-TVT as a secondary continence procedure. TO-TVT operations are associated with good patient-reported success rates (62%) in women with previous failed continence surgery with up to 9-years follow-up. There is a non-significant trend towards better outcomes with the inside-out TO-TVT.

Two new mini-slings compared with transobturator tension-free vaginal tape for treatment of stress urinary incontinence: A 1-year follow-up randomized controlled trial.

The aim of this study was to compare the outcome of two single-incision mini-slings (the Contasure-Needleless [C-NDL] and the endopelvic free anchorage) with the standard midurethral transobturator tension-free vaginal tape (TVT-O) procedure. A double blind randomized controlled study was conducted at Ain Shams University Maternity Hospital from August 2014 until July 2015. A total of 209 patients were randomized into three groups. The first group underwent the TVT-O procedure, the second group underwent the endopelvic free anchorage procedure and the third group underwent the C-NDL procedure. Patients were followed up for 12 months in terms of subjective cure, objective cure, and complications rate. After 12 months of follow-up, there were no differences among the three groups in terms of objective cure rate, subjective cure rate, patient satisfaction, or incidence of complications (de novo urge, hemorrhage, infection, and mesh erosion). The C-NDL was associated with a shorter operative time (P<0.001) and less blood loss (P=0.021) than the standard TVT-O. The new single-incision mini-slings showed similar efficacy and patient acceptance to that of the standard TVT-O for up to 12 months postoperatively with no difference in the complications rate. The C-NDL is associated with shorter operative time and less blood loss.

Learning curves of a resident surgeon performing transobturator tape procedures for stress urinary incontinence

ObjectiveTo evaluate the number of procedures necessary for an untrained resident surgeon to learn transobturator tension-free vaginal tape (TVT-O) procedures for treatment of stress urinary incontinence (SUI). MethodsA prospective study was performed among patients aged 18–75 years who underwent TVT-O procedures at a center in Rome, Italy, between March 2, 2009, and November 30, 2012. The TVT-O procedure was performed by a right-handed resident surgeon working under the supervision of an expert surgeon. Total and partial operative times were recorded. ResultsAmong 18 patients included in analysis, the mean operative time was 22.2minutes (range 7–44). All total operative times fell within the confidence interval after the 10th procedure, with a difference between the mean times recorded in the first nine and the last eight procedures (29.5 vs 13.1minutes; P<0.001). The resident surgeon required nine procedures to learn right tunneling and 13 to learn left tunneling. ConclusionTen procedures were required for a resident surgeon to learn TVT-O procedures for SUI.

Obturator abscess with spread to the thigh muscles after a transobturator tension-free vaginal tape

Obturator abscess with spread to the thigh muscles after a transobturator tension-free vaginal tape

Efficacy and outcomes of transobturator tension-free vaginal tape with or without concomitant pelvic floor repair surgery for urinary stress incontinence: five-year follow-up.

To compare the 5-year subjective and objective outcomes of transobturator tension-free vaginal tape alone versus the same procedure with concomitant pelvic floor repair surgery for pelvic organ prolapse in women with urinary stress incontinence. Prospective cohort study. Urogynaecology unit at a university hospital in Hong Kong. Of 218 women, 96 (44%) received transobturator tension-free vaginal tape alone and 122 (56%) received transobturator tension-free vaginal tape with concomitant pelvic floor repair surgery from September 2004 to December 2009. The women were followed up annually for up to 5 years after the operation. The 5-year subjective and objective cure rates were assessed. Subjective cure was defined as no urine loss during physical activity and objective cure was defined as no urine leakage on coughing during urodynamic study. Overall, 88 women receiving transobturator tension-free vaginal tape alone and 101 women receiving transobturator tension-free vaginal tape with concomitant pelvic floor repair surgery were followed up for 5 years after operation. The subjective and objective cure rates of the two groups were 70.5% versus 94.1% (P<0.01) and 80.3% versus 85.7% (P=0.58), respectively. Transobturator tension-free vaginal tape is an effective treatment for urinary stress incontinence in women who received it alone or with concomitant pelvic floor repair surgery for pelvic organ prolapse, providing high subjective and objective efficacy for up to 5 years after operation. Transobturator tension-free vaginal tape with concomitant pelvic floor repair surgery achieved similar, if not better, long-term outcome compared with transobturator tension-free vaginal tape alone.