Comparing vaginal tape and transobturator tape for the treatment of mild and moderate stress incontinence.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy and safety of the tension-free vaginal tape (TVT) and transobturator suburethral tape (TVT-O) procedures for the treatment of mild and moderate stress urinary incontinence (SUI). METHODS: A total of 56 women were randomly selected to undergo the TVT-O or the TVT procedure. In some patients, vaginal repair or vaginal hysterectomy was done simultaneously for associated indications. RESULTS: Mean blood loss and hospital stay duration were the same for the 2 groups, but mean +/- SD operative time was significantly shorter in the TVT-O than in the TVT group (16+/-4 min vs 27+/-6 min; P<0.001). On the second day following surgery a residual urine volume less than 100 mL was noted in 86% and 89% of the patients in the TVT-O and TVT groups, respectively; cure was achieved in 92.9% and 92.6% of the patients. No serious complications occurred in either group. Outcome was subjectively assessed, with the patients followed-up for a mean of 27.6 months. CONCLUSION: No significant differences in rates of cure, postoperative urine retention, or operative complications were found following the TVT-O or the TVT procedure.