Long-term outcomes of transobturator midurethral slings: A critical evaluation of a real-world population

Safety and Efficacy Report for the Use of Poly-4-Hydroxybutyrate as a Retropubic Mid-Urethral Sling (MUS) for Stress Urinary Incontinence: A Prospective 24 Months Follow-Up of New Poly-4-Hydroxybutyrate TephaFlex SUI Bioresorbable MUS

STUDY OBJECTIVE

To investigate the feasibility and safety of the retropubic mid-urethral sling (MUS) procedure with a resorbable mesh implant made of poly-4-hydroxybutyrate (P4HB).

DESIGN

A prospective clinical cohort study with 24 months follow-up.

SETTING

A tertiary academic hospital.

PATIENTS

Seventeen women with moderate to severe stress urinary incontinence (SUI).

INTERVENTIONS

A retropubic MUS procedure with P4HB sling.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

Seventeen women underwent an uncomplicated MUS procedure with a new sling made of resorbable P4HB. Following safety criteria, there has been no need to stop the study before 24 months' end point. Three serious adverse events were reported during follow-up: (1) inability to void urine after 1 week postsurgery, (2) a hysterectomy and bilateral oophorectomy performed due to a precancerous endometrial lesion at 16 months after initial MUS procedure and (3) exposed mesh with a part of device sheath left behind. These participants underwent an uncomplicated reintervention with no additional and/or permanent harm. Reinterventions because of failure of cure contained 3 second MUS procedures and one admission of urethral bulking agent. Seventy-six percent and 47 percent of patients were objectively cured of SUI at 12 and 24 months, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Preliminary evidence suggests that a sling made of P4HB can be safely used for MUS procedures and could be an alternative for permanent polypropylene slings in patients that prefer the use of nonpermanent material.

Long-term outcomes of transobturator suburethral tapes for female stress urinary incontinence

AIMS

The aim is to evaluate long-term effectiveness and safety of transobturator midurethral slings (TO-MUS) for treating female stress urinary incontinence (SUI). Possible risk factors for failure and complications are also evaluated.

METHODS

A descriptive retrospective study was performed among women with SUI treated at a tertiary urogynecology unit between January 2004 and December 2006. Women with stress-predominant mixed urinary incontinence or with associated pelvic organ prolapse were also included. Postoperative follow-up was performed at 1, 6, and 12 months and yearly thereafter. Outcomes were classified as cured, improved or failed.

RESULTS

Of 896 women operated on over the study period, 565 were suitable for the analysis. Of them, 327 women completed the 5-year, 225 the 7-year, and 172 the 10-year follow-up periods. Success rates were 77.6%, 73.8%, and 73.2% at 5, 7, and 10 years, respectively. On multivariate Cox regression models age, body mass index, and previous incontinence surgery were related to failure. Complications of any type were described in 24.9% of patients, although most of them were mild. Only concomitant prolapse surgery was related to intraoperative and peroperative complications and the inside-out route to an increased odds of groin pain (odds ratio = 4.0).

CONCLUSIONS

This study showed that TO-MUS is an effective and safe procedure in the long-term. The expected outcomes and possible side effects profile should be discussed in detail during the counseling process before opting for a treatment option.