The efficacy and safety of the tension-free vaginal tape procedure do not depend on the method of analgesia

Cough Test during Tension-Free Vaginal Tape Procedure in Preventing Postoperative Urinary Retention

Objective. To discuss the practical value of the cough test during the tension-free vaginal tape (TVT) procedure. Methods. In the first group, 41 patients of female stress incontinence received TVT operations which were performed according to the Ulmsten's method strictly, only that the stress of tape was adjusted in light of the cough test. In the second group, 44 patients of female stress incontinence received TVT operations in which the tape was put under the urethral tract without stress, not adjusted by cough test. Results. The cure rate was 38/41 (92.6%) in the cough test group and 41/44 (93.1%) in the noncough test group; detrusor pressure-uroflow study indicated that there were 11 cases in the obstruction zone in the cough test group while only 3 cases were in the obstruction zone in the noncough test group; 4 cases of urinary retention and 5 cases of voiding dysfunction were found in the cough test group, while difficulties of urination were not found in the non-cough test group. Conclusion. Adjusting the tape stress in accordance with the cough test during the TVT can increase the opportunity of urinary retention or difficulty of urination after operation. So there is no benefit of the cough test during tension-free vaginal tape procedure in preventing post-operative urinary retention.

Sling plication for recurrent stress urinary incontinence

OBJECTIVES

: Management of recurrent stress urinary incontinence (SUI) after synthetic mid-urethral sling placement is a challenging clinical dilemma. This case series describes a safe, minimally invasive treatment option for recurrent SUI after failure of the primary mid-urethral sling procedure.

METHODS

: Twenty women with recurrent SUI after previous synthetic mid-urethral sling placement underwent plication of the sling with 2-0 polyester suture under intravenous sedation with an intra-operative cough stress test between December 2004 and December 2008. A retrospective chart review was performed to obtain pertinent preoperative and postoperative data.

RESULTS

: Nine of the patients had prior retropubic synthetic mid-urethral slings. The other 11 women had transobturator mid-urethral slings, 10 of whom had slings via the outside-in approach and 1 had a single-incision mini-sling placed. The mean patient age was 59.8 years (range 38-83 years). Sling plication was performed at a median of 159.5 days after initial sling placement (range 26-2090 days). Overall 85% of patients had subjective improvement in SUI after sling plication with a median follow-up of 54.5 days (range 29-972 days). Those patients with prior retropubic slings had a 100% improvement rate compared to 72% improvement with prior obturator slings (P = 0.22). The subjective cure rate was 65%, 88% for the retropubic slings and 45% for the transobturator slings (P = 0.07). There were no complications.

CONCLUSIONS

: Midline plication of previously placed synthetic mid-urethral slings is a safe and effective method of treating recurrent SUI.

A randomized comparison of bupivacaine versus saline during placement of tension-free vaginal tape

OBJECTIVES

To compare postoperative urinary retention and pain control when bupivacaine versus saline for hydrodissection is used while placing tension-free vaginal tape midurethral slings.

METHODS

A prospective, randomized, double-blind trial was performed after institutional review board approval. Sixty women were randomized to receive bupivacaine or saline for hydrodissection. Subjects and research team were blinded to subject assignments. Group characteristics were compared using the Student t test, the χ test, and the Mann-Whitney U test. Proportions of subjects with a successful postoperative voiding trial along with measurements of postoperative pain and analgesic use were compared using similar appropriate tests. The study was powered to detect differences in voiding trial success from an estimated 58% to greater than 90% with P < 0.05 and 0.8 power using 25 subjects per group.

RESULTS

Thirty patients were allocated to each group. One subject in the saline-only group was excluded. Group characteristics were not different. After surgery, pain medication use (20/30 vs 25/29 for bupivacaine vs saline only; P = 0.08), pain scores (36 ± 22 vs 31 ± 24; P = 0.49), and successful voiding trials did not differ (14/30 vs 19/29; P = 0.14), whereas postvoid residuals did differ (225 ± 180 mL vs 140 ± 147 mL; P = 0.043).

CONCLUSIONS

Bupivacaine was not seen to improve immediate postoperative pain after placement of a tension-free vaginal tape. It did not increase the risk of failing a postoperative voiding trial. Without an obvious benefit, the use of an additional medicine is not supported. We suggest saline alone be used for hydrodissection.

Alteration of autonomic function in female urinary incontinence

PURPOSE

Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) and urge urinary incontinence (UUI) have different mechanisms of action. We believe that alteration of autonomic nervous system (ANS) activity may contribute to UUI because the lower urinary tract is regulated through the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems. Heart rate variability (HRV) allows measurement of autonomic nervous function, therefore we measured and compared HRV parameters in women with urinary incontinence.

METHODS

From March 2008 to March 2010, we evaluated all patients who visited 2 university hospitals for treatment of urinary incontinence. Theywere performed 3-day voiding diary, urodynamic study, physical examination and routine laboratory examination. We excluded subjects who had diabetes, cardiovascular problems, or other condition that affect ANS. Patients with mixed urinary incontinence (MUI) were also excluded. Finally 47 women with SUI (group 1) and 29 women with UUI (group 2) were enrolled according to their symptoms and voiding diary. We compared their HRV parameters. And excluding 11 patients who had detrusor underactivity, we divided them again into group A, 53 women without detrusor overactivity (DO) and group B, 12 women with DO. We compared HRV parameters between DO and non-DO group.

RESULTS

Older women had a higher incidence of UUI and DO. In HRV parameters, only the ratio of low frequency (LF) and high frequency (HF) was significantly higher in group 2 than group 1 (3.5±3.6 vs. 1.6±1.1, P<0.05). Also group A had higher mean LF/HF ratio than group B (4.3±3.8 vs. 1.9±1.9, P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Increased LF/HF values indicate relative sympathetic hyperactivity over parasympathetic activity. Changes in ANS activity could indicate the presence of UUI and potentially DO.

The prevalence of voiding difficulty after TVT, its impact on quality of life, and related risk factors

OBJECTIVE

To determine the prevalence of voiding difficulty (VD), quality of life, and related risk factors after tension-free vaginal tape (TVT).

DESIGN

Prospective cohort study in 703 women with a TVT procedure for stress urinary incontinence.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

VD stated by women, Urogenital Distress Inventory (UDI-6) question 5 (difficulty in emptying the bladder), maximum flow rate, postvoid residual urine, necessity of postoperative catheterization, tape division, and impact on quality of life (Incontinence Impact Questionnaire, IIQ-7).

RESULTS

Postoperative catheterization (>24 h) was necessary in 11% and tape division in 1.3% of patients. There were 26% of women who stated VD and 25% reported moderate to great impairment on the UDI-6 after 36 months. While the negative impact on the outcome of TVT in women with abnormal voiding compared to women without is higher, the impact decreased significantly after TVT, implying a considerable improvement in quality of life. Pre-operative existing voiding difficulty and concomitant prolapse surgery were independent risk factors.

CONCLUSIONS

Symptoms of VD occurred after TVT and caused lesser improvement in quality of life.

Collagen deposition around polypropylene tapes implanted in the rectus fascia of female rats

OBJECTIVE

Implantation of the mesh induces a foreign-body reaction followed by the development of connective tissue that may alter tape property. The aim of our study was to evaluate the deposition of collagen in the vicinity of monofilament tension-free vaginal tape (TVT; Ethicon Inc., Johnson & Johnson) and multifilament intravaginal slingplasty (IVS; Tyco Healthcare) polypropylene tapes implanted in female rats.

METHODS

The samples of the meshes (10 mg each) were implanted in the rectus fascia of 14 Wistar female rats and removed after 42 days. Collagen was extracted with 0.5 M acetic acid and subsequently with pepsin (1 mg/ml in 0.5 M acetic acid). Collagen concentration was measured using Sircol Collagen Assay (Biocolor Ltd.) and normalised for milligrams of tape weight. For histological examination, tape samples were stained with haematoxylin and eosin or with silver for type III collagen.

RESULTS

The total amount of collagen extracted did not differ significantly between TVT and IVS samples. For both tapes, extraction with acetic acid yielded a higher amount of collagen (about 70%) than extraction with pepsin. On histological examination, less densely packed bundles of collagen fibres and a slightly more intense inflammatory reaction were observed with TVT compared with IVS mesh.

CONCLUSION

The total amount of collagen deposited around the polypropylene mesh implanted in female rats was similar for TVT and IVS meshes, but differences were noted in the arrangement of the collagen fibres and the intensity of the inflammatory reaction.

Ambulatory gynaecology: What can we do?

The aim of ambulatory gynaecology is to admit, treat and discharge the patient on the same day in an outpatient setting. Traditional inpatient operations are being rapidly replaced by office, outpatient or day surgery procedures. In this review, a brief assessment of current ambulatory gynaecological practice is attempted, followed by a discussion of audit and quality assessment methods. Epidemiological studies, clinical trials, socio-economic studies and meta-analyses offer research opportunities in the ambulatory setting. There is a need to review the training of junior gynaecologists and nurses in this field. At present, only a few gynaecology residency programmes offer experience in outpatient procedures and ambulatory care. Specific issues that need to be addressed include training, patient selection, consenting issues, decisions to cancel/transfer as inpatients, and the management of common gynaecological problems.

Incidence and predictors of prolonged urinary retention after TVT with and without concurrent prolapse surgery

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study was to describe the time to adequate voiding, incidence of urinary retention, and predictors of voiding efficiency and urinary retention after tension-free vaginal tape (TVT) with and without concurrent prolapse surgery.

STUDY DESIGN

Medical records of patients who underwent TVT between August 1999 and July 2003 were reviewed. Urinary retention was defined as the need for urethrolysis, urethral dilation, or postoperative catheterization for >6 weeks. Linear and logistic regression models were used to determine predictors of time to adequate voiding and urinary retention.

RESULTS

Two hundred sixty-seven patients were available for analysis; 66% had concurrent prolapse repair, 4% had concurrent laparoscopically assisted vaginal hysterectomy (LAVH), and 30% had an isolated TVT. TVT with and without concurrent prolapse repair or LAVH were statistically similar with respect to median days to voiding (8 vs 5) and the rate of urinary retention (11.2% vs 11.3%). Overall, 4.9% underwent urethrolysis, 1.9% received urethral dilation, and 4.1% required prolonged catheterization. Increasing age, decreasing BMI, and postoperative urinary tract infection were independent predictors of time to adequate voiding. Previous history of incontinence surgery was the only independent predictor of urinary retention (Adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 2.96, 95%CI [1.17-7.06]).

CONCLUSION

Concurrent prolapse surgery does not appear to significantly alter postoperative voiding efficiency or increase the risk of prolonged urinary retention compared with TVT alone.

Is the cough-stress test necessary when placing the tension-free vaginal tape?

OBJECTIVE

To estimate whether the mode of anesthesia (and the resultant ability or inability to perform the cough-stress test) used during the tension-free vaginal tape (TVT) procedure affects postoperative continence.

METHODS

A cohort of 170 women who underwent the TVT procedure without any other concomitant surgery completed the short form of the Urogenital Distress Inventory (UDI-6) to assess their continence status preoperatively and postoperatively. Chi-squared, t, and Mann-Whitney U tests were used to determine the association between these data and anesthesia type during univariate analysis.

RESULTS

Both anesthesia groups showed significant improvement from their preoperative UDI-6 scores to their postoperative scores. However, when comparing the change from pre- to postoperative UDI-Stress Symptoms subscale scores between the 2 groups, we found a significant difference. Mean improvement in the local group was 58.3 (+/- 33.8) compared with 41.7 (+/- 39.4) in the general group (P = .02).

CONCLUSION

Women who undergo TVT show significant improvements in incontinence severity regardless of anesthesia type. However, greater improvements in stress incontinence, as measured by the UDI-Stress Symptoms subscale, are seen when the TVT is placed while using the cough-stress test under local analgesia.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

II-2.

Surgical management of stress urinary incontinence: a questionnaire based survey

OBJECTIVES

To determine the trends in the surgical management of urinary stress incontinence amongst members of the International Urogynaecology Association (IUGA).

DESIGN

Postal Questionnaire Survey.

METHODS

530 members of the International Urogynaecology association were sent a postal questionnaire regarding their practice in the surgical management of urinary stress incontinence. We also collected data on the demographic profile of members and the preferred primary and secondary continence procedures.

OUTCOME

Consensus in the surgical management of urinary stress incontinence amongst members of the IUGA.

RESULTS

Five hundred and thirty questionnaires were sent to IUGA members worldwide. Two hundred and seventeen questionnaires were received of which fifteen were from physiotherapists, so were excluded from our analysis. The overall response rate was 41%, and the useable response rate was 38%. Of the total results analysed (two hundred and two), one hundred and twelve (54%) were from teaching hospital, sixty-two (31%) were from district general hospitals and twenty-eight (14%) were from members in private practice. The preferred primary continence procedure was Tension Free Vaginal Tape (TVT) in one hundred and thirty four (68%) respondents. The preferred secondary continence procedure was colposuspension or Trans obturator tape in twenty-six respondents each (13%).

CONCLUSIONS

Almost all respondents (97.1%) were skilled at performing either TVT or colposuspension, which have been identified as the preferred methods of surgical management by the NICE (National Institute of Clinical Excellence, UK). Although colposuspension has been identified as the gold standard surgical procedure in the management of stress incontinence, 16% of respondents were not performing colposuspension. There appears to be little evidence base to the surgical techniques in the management of stress urinary continence.

Tvt para la incontinencia urinaria femenina: estudio multicéntrico español

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to evaluate results and complications of TVT in a large series from different hospital centers in Spain.

METHOD

We retrospectively studied the results of TVT placement from 6 centers with 272 consecutive patients (median follow-up was 636 days). All types of stress urinary incontinence with a surgical indication were included and no previous conditions were established regarding the indication. No protocol was used for either the intervention or postoperative support measures. Data collection was protocolized and carried out using a common questionnaire that was completed by an urologist at each center from 3 to 6 months after the intervention and then annually. All patients who underwent intervention were asked about their satisfaction with the outcome. Multivariate studies were made to identify the factors that influenced the recovery of continence and the occurrence of complications.

RESULTS

92.1% of patients were continent and 2.4% have not shown any improvement. 91.6% of the patients claimed to be satisfied whereas only 2.7% were dissatisfied. After four years only 2.8% of patients showed mild incontinence with time and 0.4% had moderate incontinence. Only previous surgery for incontinence was found to be significantly unfavorable factor for achieving postoperative continence.

CONCLUSION

We have reproduced a scenario closer to daily clinical reality than the results of series from a single institution or analyses using stricter selection criteria. This multicenter study verifies the viability and reproducibility of TVT with minimal complications in centers where patients are not selected and where not all urologists are specialized in urinary incontinence.

Influence of the type of anesthesia and hydrodissection on the complication rate after tension-free vaginal tape procedure

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the success rate of tension-free vaginal tape (TVT) performed under spinal and general anesthesia and to assess the efficacy of hydrodissection of the space of Retzius in reducing intraoperative and postoperative complications.

STUDY DESIGN

A total of 149 patients, were enrolled. Of these, 53 patients underwent the TVT placement (alone or in combination with other pelvic surgery) under general anesthesia and 96 under spinal anesthesia. TVT placement was performed as originally described, apart from the hydrodissection of the space of Retzius, that was performed only in 82 cases. In the remaining 67 patients the TVT needles were introduced directly without hydrodissection. Postoperatively, the patients were scheduled for evaluation at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months. Cure was defined as no postoperative stress incontinence.

RESULTS

Overall, the incidence of intraoperative and postoperative complications was 3.3% and 14.7%, respectively. No statistical difference was found in the intraoperative (1.9% versus 4.2%, P = 0.65) and postoperative complications (11.3% versus 16.7%) rates between the general and spinal anesthesia groups. No difference was found in the cure rate between groups (96.2% versus 95.8%). Similarly, no difference was found in the rate of intraoperative (3.7% versus 3.0%) and postoperative (15.9% versus 13.4%) complications between patients who had hydrodissection and those who did not. When the analysis was restricted to patients who underwent the TVT placement without concomitant surgery (n = 88), there was no difference in the incidence of intraoperative (2.1% versus 5.0%, P = 0.59) and postoperative complications (14.6% versus 15.0%, P = 1.0) between patients who had hydrodissection and those who did not.

CONCLUSIONS

Efficacy and safety of the TVT procedure are not affected by the type of anesthesia (general or loco-regional). Hydrodissection of the space of Retzius during TVT placement does not reduce the risks of intraoperative complications.

The clinical and urodynamic effects of the tension free bladder neck sling procedure

This study evaluated the clinical and urodynamic findings before and after tension-free bladder neck sling (TBS) procedure with Prolene tape. We enrolled 32 women who underwent TBS for genuine stress incontinence without intrinsic sphincter deficiency or severe uterovaginal prolapse. All subjects received 1-h pad test, Q-tip test, multichannel urodynamic testing, introital ultrasonography, and the Bristol Female Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms Questionnaires before and 1 year after surgery. Of the 32 subjects 27 were cured of stress incontinence, two improved, and three failed. The incidence of irritative symptoms and incomplete bladder emptying were significantly lower after surgery. The mean urethral straining angle showed a significant decrease from 73.8 degrees preoperatively to 30.1 degrees postoperatively. At rest the postsurgical position of the bladder neck (BN) was localized more cranially. During straining both ventral and caudal mobility of the BN decreased significantly following TBS, causing a more cranial and dorsal position of the BN. Urodynamic parameters including functional urethral length, maximal urethral closure pressure, and pressure transmission ratio showed significant increases after surgery. TBS could decrease the hypermobility of the BN and restore the BN support to prevent urinary leakage during straining, instead of urethral obstruction. The subjective and objective cure rate of stress incontinence is 84%, similar to those results reported after retropubic urethropexy and tension-free vaginal tape procedure. It is also worth emphasizing that no postoperative urinary retention occurred, although the limited number of cases makes it hard to confirm the significance of findings over the retention rate of tension-free vaginal tape.

Urinary complications and sexual function after the tension-free vaginal tape procedure

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this prospective study was to evaluate urinary and sexual function after the tension-free vaginal tape (TVT) support procedure for stress urinary incontinence (SUI).

METHODS

Between January 1999 and July 2002 a total of 71 patients underwent comprehensive examination including urodynamics and a mailed self-administered questionnaire for assessment of voiding and sexual function before and after treatment of SUI by TVT.

RESULTS

Based on objective findings TVT was considered as curative in 48 patients (87.3%). Comparison of preoperative and postoperative urodynamic evidence demonstrated a significant outflow obstruction (<12 ml/s) in 19 patients (34.5%). A significant decrease in peak urinary flow during voiding (p < 0.001) was also observed. Of the 55 women (78.5%) who responded to the questionnaire before and after TVT, 42 (76.3%) reported satisfaction with the outcome. Postoperatively, 60% of patients reported voiding difficulty, 47.2% complained of urgency, and 32.7% of frequency. Regarding sexual function 20% reported impairment after surgery including dyspareunia in 14.5% (none preoperatively vs. eight postoperatively, <0.01) and loss of libido in 5.4%.

CONCLUSION

The TVT procedure is an effective treatment for SUI. However, it can lead to postoperative voiding and sexual impairment.

Combined genital prolapse repair reinforced with a polypropylene mesh and tension-free vaginal tape in women with genital prolapse and stress urinary incontinence: a retrospective case-control study with short-term follow-up

BACKGROUND

To evaluate the tension-free vaginal tape (TVT) in both stress urinary incontinence (SUI) and occult SUI as an associated procedure at the time of tension-free polypropylene mesh repair for the treatment of genitourinary prolapse.

METHODS

Forty-eight consecutive women undergoing surgery for genital prolapse and concurrent SUI from November 1999 to September 2002. Preoperatively, SUI was symptomatic in 29 women and occult in 19, with a positive stress test during repositioning of the prolapse. All patients had urethral hypermobility and none had intrinsic sphincter deficiency. The cystocele repair was performed in all patients according to the technique of tension-free polypropylene mesh. Twenty-six women had an associated TVT and 22 had no associated procedure for SUI (control group). The main outcome measures were postoperative SUI, voiding dysfunction, and recurrence of prolapse.

RESULTS

The median follow-up was 20 +/- 10.1 months (range 7-41). Patient characteristics and preoperative urodynamic evaluation were similar in the two groups. In patients with preoperative SUI, postoperative SUI occurred in 1/15 of the TVT group (6.7%) vs. 5/14 (35.7%) in the control group (p < 0.05), and voiding dysfunction occurred in 2/15 patients of the TVT group (13.3%) vs. 0/14 in the control group (p > 0.05). In patients with preoperative occult SUI, postoperative SUI occurred in 0/11 of the TVT group vs. 1/8 (12.5%) in the control group (p > 0.05), and voiding dysfunction occurred in 3/11 patients of the TVT group (27.3%) vs. 0/8 in the control group (p < 0.05). Anatomic success on prolapse was 88.5% (23/26) and 86.4% (19/22) in the TVT and the control group, respectively (p > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

In patients with preoperative SUI, TVT is more efficient than prosthetic cystocele repair alone to prevent postoperative SUI, without differences in voiding dysfunction. In patients with preoperative occult SUI, prosthetic cystocele repair is as efficient as TVT, with a decreased risk of voiding dysfunction.

[Usefulness of abdominal leak point pressure determination in the diagnosis of female urinary incontinence in the TVT era]

OBJECTIVE

To analyse our results about continence in the treatment of female urinary incontinence with the tension-free vaginal tape (TVT) procedure based on abdominal leak point pressure(ALPP).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Retrospective study of the fifty two patients who had urodynamic study and abdominal leak point pressure determination and were operated on between 1999 and 2002 for stress urinary incontinence. We reviewed the data of clinical history, physical examination and urodynamic report, surgery, complications, and objective and subjective results. Those patients having ALPP > 100 are included in group 1, between 61 and 100 in group 2 and less than 60 in group 3.

RESULTS

There were 19 patients in group 1, 17 in group 2 and 16 in group 3. We found no difference between the three groups regarding age, delivery, menopause, hysterectomy, evolution, previous surgery, grade of cystocele, association of anterior colporraphy to TVT and type of anaesthesia. The Obrink clinical grade increased as the ALPP decreased (grade 3 in 26.32% of group 1, 31.58% in group 2 and 68.71% in group 3). 100% of patients in groups 1 and 2 were continent with effort and 93.75% in group 3. Complications, especially de novo instability or urgency-frequency episodes or persistence of instability in patients having mixed incontinence, caused a decrease in the satisfaction degree to 79% in group 1, 76.5% in 2 and 62.5% in 3.

CONCLUSIONS

Abdominal leak point pressure determination does not change our decision of perform a TVT procedure but permits us to differentiate one group in which results could be worse.

Tension free vaginal tape: is the intra-operative cough test necessary?

The tension-free vaginal tape (TVT) procedure is recognised as an effective treatment for genuine stress incontinence. It was first described using local anaesthesia, with an intra-operative cough test helping to correctly position the tape. Many patients prefer general anaesthesia and often, patients with genuine stress incontinence do not leak when supine. This aim of this study was to compare the outcome in TVTs performed under general anaesthesia with those performed under spinal anaesthesia. Retrospective analysis of 105 patients, all of whom had urodynamically proven genuine stress incontinence and underwent TVT procedure, was performed: 52 under spinal anaesthesia and 53 under general anaesthesia. The primary and secondary outcome measures were the success or failure of the procedure and the complication rate, respectively. There was no significant difference in outcome or complication rate between the two groups. The type of anaesthetic used does not influence the outcome and we question the necessity of an intra-operative cough test.

Concomitant surgery with tension-free vaginal tape

BACKGROUND

To evaluate the efficacy and feasibility of tension-free vaginal tape (TVT) surgery combined with gynecologic surgery using general anesthesia.

METHODS

One hundred and six women with genuine stress incontinence (GSI) diagnosed with a traditional urodynamic examination were prospectively enrolled into this study. All of the 106 women underwent TVT surgery for the treatment of GSI, along with a concomitant hysterectomy procedure, under general anesthesia. We estimated the severity of incontinence symptoms on a visual analog scale (VAS), and used a questionnaire for subjective assessment before and after TVT surgery. The objective assessment of urinary incontinence was carried out with a 1-h pad test and traditional urodynamic examination. Of the 106 patients, 50 had uterine prolapse and underwent transvaginal hysterectomy and anteroposterior colporrhaphy (APC), and another 50 had uterine myoma and underwent laparoscopic-assisted vaginal hysterectomy (LAVH).

RESULTS

The follow-up mean interval was 18 months (range 12-36 months). The 50 women undergoing LAVH and TVT surgery had a mean hospitalization of 3.5 days. The subjective success rate was 90.5% and the objective success rate was 86.8%. The other group of 50 women undergoing vaginal total hysterectomy (VTH), APC and TVT surgery had a mean hospitalization of 4.8 days. The subjective success rate was 88.6% and the objective success rate was 84.9%. There were six patients lost to follow-up for several reasons. The rates of complications of bladder perforation, postoperative voiding difficulty and postoperative urinary urgency were 2%, 11% and 10%, respectively; neither pelvic hematoma requiring blood transfusion nor conversion to laparotomy occurred.

CONCLUSION

The results of this study prove that the TVT procedure, performed under general anesthesia without the need for the intraoperative cough provocation test to treat GSI, and carried out concomitantly with other gynecologic surgeries, is safe and effective.

Voiding patterns and urodynamics after a tension-free vaginal tape procedure

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate changes in urodynamic parameters, therapeutic success, and complication rates after a tension-free vaginal tape (TVT) procedure in women with stress urinary incontinence (SUI).

METHODS

Sixty-three women who underwent a TVT procedure for SUI, between June 1999 and December 2001 at Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto, Ontario, were prospectively followed. Pre- and postoperative clinical data were analyzed using the Mann-Whitney, chi-square, paired t-test, and Wilcoxon signed ranks tests.

RESULTS

The range of follow-up was 6 weeks to 3 years. Short-term voiding dysfunction occurred in 49% of the women but was completely resolved in all women by the 12-week follow-up. For the 45 women who completed their follow-up at 6 months or 1 year after TVT, the success rate was 85%. Provocative urodynamics at 1-year follow-up compared to preoperative data showed a decrease in maximum flow rate (P < 0.001), and increase in post-void residual urine volume (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

TVT is associated with a good short-term success rate at 6 months and 1 year. A low long-term complication rate and morbidity may be expected, but significant temporary voiding dysfunction, higher than previously reported, was observed.

A French multicenter clinical trial of SPARC for stress urinary incontinence

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the safety and efficacy of the SPARC procedure in women with genuine stress urinary incontinence.

METHODS

We conducted a prospective multicenter trial of a suprapubic approach to suburethral polypropylene (SPARC) taping for the treatment of genuine stress urinary incontinence. Between June 2001 and June 2002, 104 consecutive women (mean age 58.7 years) underwent SPARC in three centers. All the women had urethral hypermobility preoperatively. Detrusor instability was ruled out by cystometry. The women were evaluated 1, 3, 6 and 12 months postoperatively. The objective cure rate was evaluated by clinical and urodynamic examination, and the subjective cure rate was assessed using the Kings and Bristol questionnaire.

RESULTS

The mean follow-up time was 11.9+/-1.9 months (range 8 to 20 months). The mean operating time was 30 min (25-50 min). Most of the patients received general anesthesia (48%). The overall complication rate was 44.2% (46/104). The perioperative complication rate was 10.5%, including 11 bladder injuries. A significant difference in the bladder injury rate was observed between women with and without previous incontinence surgery (respectively 4/11, 36.3% versus 7/93, 7.5%; p<0.001). No hemorrhaging occurred. The early postoperative complication rate was 22.1%. The main complication was voiding disorders (11 patients), which necessitated intermittent self-catheterization for less than 15 days (1.3+/-1.1 days, range 1 to 10 days). The late postoperative complication rate was 11.5%, including de novo urge symptoms in 12 women. The objective cure rate was 90.4%. No difference was found between patients with genuine stress incontinence and those with mixed incontinence. The subjective cure rate was 72%. The objective and subjective cure rates differed significantly (p<0.05). The subjective cure rate among patients with de novo urge symptoms was 58%.

CONCLUSION

The SPARC procedure is a safe and effective treatment for women with stress urinary incontinence, despite a high incidence of de novo urge symptoms.