[Approach and complications associated with suburethral synthetic slings in women: Systematic review and meta-analysis]. / Voies d'abord et complications des bandelettes sous-urétrales synthétiques chez la femme : revue systématique de la littérature et méta-analyse.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: We aim to assess the complications associated with different approaches used in female suburethral sling surgery. METHOD: We performed a research on Medline using the following keywords "suburethral slings", "complications", "safety" and "randomized". Only randomized clinical trials including women and reporting intra- and postoperative complications associated with the retropubic (RP) approach; TOT and/or TVT-O were included. The meta-analysis was conducted using the Review Manager (RevMan 5.3) software delivered by the "Cochrane Library". RESULTS: Out of 176 articles, 23 were included in synthesis. Risks of bladder perforation during surgery (60/1482 vs 5/1479; OR=6.44; 95% CI [3.32-12.50]) and postoperative urinary retention (48/1160 vs 24/1159; OR=1.93; 95% CI [1.26-3.12]) were significantly higher with the RP approach, when compared with the transobturator (TO) approach (TOT or TVT-O). Conversely, the risk of prolonged postoperative pain was significantly lower after RP approach, when compared with TO approach (24/1156 vs 69/1149; OR=0.36; 95% CI [0.23-0.56]). Risks of intraoperative urethral injury, postoperative erosion and de novo overactive bladder were comparable between the two approaches. Data regarding the comparison between TOT and TVT-O were scarce and did not allow us to conclude about complications associated with. CONCLUSION: The RP approach was associated with a significant risk of bladder perforation and postoperative urinary retention. The TO approach was associated with a higher risk of prolonged postoperative pain.