Two-year urinary outcomes of sacrocolpopexy with or without transobturator tape: results of a prolapse-reduction stress test-based approach

Abstract

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: Women undergoing sacrocolpopexy (SCP) are at risk for postoperative stress urinary incontinence (SUI). However, the optimal management for this condition remains debatable. The aim of this study was to evaluate urinary outcomes 2 years after SCP with or without transobturator tape (TOT) based on the results of a prolapse-reduction stress test. METHODS: A prospective, observational study was conducted assessing a cohort of women undergoing SCP. Patients were assigned to the TOT or non-TOT group based on results of a prolapse-reduction stress test. The primary outcome was SUI (defined as a positive cough stress test or bothersome symptoms) or additional surgery for this condition. RESULTS: Among the 247 women enrolled, 223 (90 %) received surgery per assignment and completed the follow-up. Two years after surgery, 5.4 % of women in the TOT group and 28.6 % in the non-TOT group had SUI or received additional anti-incontinence surgery (p < 0.01). In the non-TOT group, more women with symptoms of SUI prior to surgery had postoperative SUI or received additional anti-incontinence surgery than those without symptoms (42.9 % vs. 20.0 %, p = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: A preoperative prolapse-reduction stress test alone is not sufficient to determine the need for anti-incontinence surgery at the time of SCP. In particular, women with symptoms of SUI despite a negative prolapse-reduction stress test are more likely to experience postoperative SUI or additional anti-incontinence surgery.