Safety and efficacy of surgical transobturator tape in the treatment of stress urinary incontinence in women – three years of follow-up

Abstract

Introduction/Objective Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) is defined as the complaint of involuntary loss of urine in effort or physical exertion, or on sneezing or coughing. It is a common clinical condition affecting 50% of middle-aged and elderly women. Mid-urethral slings (MUSs) are the gold standard in the treatment of SUI. The aim of this study was to investigate the success rate and complications of surgical treatment of SUI in women with transobturator tape (TOT) within the three years of follow-up.

Methods From January 2011 until January 2018, 86 women with predominantly SUI were operated by TOT procedure. In 61.6% of patients SUI was confirmed by preoperative urodynamic examination (cystometry, uroflowmetry, urethral presser profile) and in 38.4% of patients by clinical examination of stress test (cough provocation). All patients were invited for a follow-up examination six, 12, 24, and 36 months after surgery. The result of the operation is defined as cured, improved or without success.

Results The average age was 55 (32–72) years. The most common complications were tape erosion (3.5%), incision bleeding (2.3%), transient leg pain (3.5%), dyspareunia (2.3%), vaginal erosion (3.5%) and de novo urge (5.8%). After three years of follow-up, 82.6% patients were cured.

Conclusion TOT is a safe, effective and successful procedure with 82.6% of cured patients during a three-year follow-up.

Keywords: urinary incontinence; stress; trans-obturator tape; suburethral slings