Transobturator tape procedure versus tension-free vaginal tape for treatment of stress urinary incontinence

Abstract

Objective: To compare the efficacy and safety of the tension-free vaginal tape (TVT) and inside-out transobturator tape (TVT-O) procedures for the treatment of stress urinary incontinence (SUI).

Methods: A total of 315 women with or without concomitant pelvic organ prolapse repairs were randomly allocated to undergo a TVT or TVT-O procedure. Demographic data, intra- and postoperative complications, and surgical outcomes were analyzed.

Results: Fifteen patients were lost to follow-up. There were no significant differences in cure rates between the 2 groups at 6, 12, 24, and 36 months' follow-up. Hematomas occurred in 4 patients and there were 6 vaginal tape erosions. Urinary retention and de novo urinary urgency were similar in both groups. The operative time was significantly shorter for TVT-O than for TVT without other procedures (P<0.001) and postoperative groin/thigh pain was higher (P<0.05) in the TVT-O group.

Conclusion: Both techniques appear equally effective for the treatment of SUI. However, TVT-O had a shorter operative time and a higher rate of groin/thigh pain.