Long-term patient satisfaction after retropubic and transobturator mid-urethral slings for female stress urinary incontinence.

AIM: The aim of this study was to report long-term patient outcomes after retropubic and transobturator mid-urethral slings for female stress urinary incontinence.

METHODS: Women who underwent mid-urethral sling for stress urinary incontinence between 2000 and 2010 were invited to participate in a survey regarding their overall improvement. Patients' outcomes were assessed using the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire - Short Form and the Global Response Assessment Scale.

RESULTS: The questionnaires were completed by 330 patients. Their median age at the time of surgery was 54.8 years (±12.9) and the median follow-up period was 11.9 years (±6.4). Retropubic and transobturator approaches were performed in 128 (38.8%) and 202 (61.2%) patients, respectively. The International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire - Short Form score dropped from an average of 14 (±4.1) to 6.4 (±6) with no significant difference between the two groups. The Global Response Assessment Scale showed an 9% greater improvement in the retropubic (66.4%) over the transobturator (57.4%) approach. De novo overactive bladder was the commonest long-term reported adverse event, affecting 18/330 patients (5.5%). Voiding dysfunction that required surgical correction following the retropubic approach occurred in three patients (2.3%).

CONCLUSION: Mid-urethral slings for the management of female stress urinary incontinence had good and durable long-term effects. Although the retropubic approach gave better results, they were not significantly different than those of the transobturator approach.