Four-year functional results of the suburethral sling procedure for stress urinary incontinence: a French prospective randomized multicentre study comparing the retropubic and transobturator routes.

PURPOSE: To evaluate long-term (over 4 years) functional outcomes and quality of life of transobturator (TOR) and retropubic (RPR) routes in the cure of stress urinary incontinence (SUI). METHODS: Prospective, randomized multicentre study involving 88 women with SUI from March 2004 to May 2005 (RPR group (n = 42), TOR group (n = 46)). Long-term functional results and quality of life were evaluated using validated questionnaires and compared with those observed at the first year. RESULTS: Eight patients (19%) in the RPR group and 9 patients (19.5%) in the TOR group were lost to follow-up (NS). The mean follow-up in the RPR and the TOR groups was 52.7 months and 53.1 months, respectively. In intention to treat, the success rate at 4 years was 64.3% in the RPR group and 69.5% in the TOR group (NS). At 4 years, no significant differences in the IIQ scores were observed in either group compared to the preoperative scores with no difference between the groups (RPR group: 32 vs. 14.9 (NS), TOR group: 25.7 vs. 21.4 (NS)). Compared to 1 year UDIQ and IIQ scores, a decrease in quality of life was observed for both groups at 4 years (RPR group: 4.7 vs. 34 (P < 0.0001) and 2.6 vs. 14.9 (P < 0.001), TOR group: 1.2 vs. 38.7 (P < 0.0001) and 0 vs. 21.4 (P < 0.0001)) without difference between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows similar relatively high long-term success rates for both the RPR and TOR procedures. Patients should be informed about a possible time-dependent alteration in functional results.

Functional results after the suburethral sling procedure for urinary stress incontinence: a prospective randomized multicentre study comparing the retropubic and transobturator routes.

OBJECTIVES: To compare short-term functional outcomes, urodynamic parameters, and quality of life of transobturator and retropubic routes in the cure of urinary stress incontinence. POPULATION AND METHODS: This prospective, multicentre study involved 88 women undergoing suburethral sling procedure for stress urinary incontinence (SUI). The retropubic route (RPR) and the transobturator route (TOR) were used in 42 and 46 women, respectively. No difference in epidemiologic and preoperative urinary functional status (SUI stage, and pollakiuria, nocturia, and urgency rates) was found between the groups. Functional results and quality of life were evaluated before surgery and at 1, 3, 6, and 12 mo postoperatively. Urodynamic examinations were performed before and 3 mo after surgery. RESULTS: The mean follow-up was 10 mo. No difference in the rate of de novo urge incontinence and immediate and late voiding dysfunction was noted between the groups. No difference in the cure rate was observed between the groups (89.3% in the RPR group and 88.6% in the TOR group). RPR was associated with a significant decrease in maximum urinary flow and an increase in residual urine volume. Quality of life was significantly improved after surgery without difference between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: Retropubic and transobturator routes for treatment of female SUI have similar high cure rates and quality of life improvement. Because of advantages in the rate of complications and postoperative pain previously demonstrated on the same population, the transobturator route appears to be the best option for the treatment of urinary incontinence.