The Results of Performing the SPARC Procedure for Treating Female Stress Urinary Incontinence: A 14 Month Study / 대한비뇨기과학회지

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the results of performing the suprapubic arc (SPARC) procedure during 14 months at our hospital for treating female stress urinary incontinence. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between October 2002 and December 2003, 114 consecutive women who suffered with stress urinary incontinence underwent the SPARC procedure. All the patients were followed up for at least 1 year. The patients were preoperatively evaluated via taking their medical history, physical examinations, and conducting urinalysis and voiding cystourethrography and urodynamic studies, including determining the Valsalva leak point pressure (VLPP). Evaluations were conducted by questionnaires and interviews for determining the surgical outcome and the patients' satisfaction. RESULTS: The mean age was 48.6 years (30-70), the mean follow-up period was 16.4 months (12-25), the mean hospital stay was 3.8 days (2-10) and the mean operation time was 38.7 minutes. For 114 patients, 92 (80.7%) were cured and 17 (14.9%) were significantly improved. 99 patients (86.8%) were satisfied with the SPARC procedure, and 95 patients (83.3%) would like to recommend the SPARC procedure to others. Intraoperative complications included 9 (7.9%) bladder perforations and 1 (0.9%) urethral injury. Postoperative complications showed 14 cases (12.3%) of urinary retention, 2 cases (1.8%) of vaginal wound infections and 1 case (0.9%) of vaginal erosion due to tape. De novo urge incontinence was noted in 3 patients (2.6%). CONCLUSIONS: Favorable results were obtained from the SPARC procedure. This procedure is an effective and safe technique for the treatment of female stress urinary incontinence in terms of the low morbidity and the high success rate.