English summary: TRANSOBTURATOR TAPE IN FEMALE URINARY INCONTINENCE - OUR FIRST EXPERIENCES

Background

Urinary incontinence is a common problem that increases with age. Within the last decade new mini-invasive methods have been introduced for the treatment of incontinence in women. The most recent one is the transobturator tape (TOT) method.

Methods

The present study is a retrospective postal survey among incontinence patients operated in our hospital from May 2004 to July 2005. We wanted to evaluate the results and patient satisfaction with the new TOT procedure. Patients operated with TVT (tension-free vaginal tape) during the same time period acted as a control group.

Results

The questionnaire was returned by 93.1 per cent of the subjects and the follow up time was at least 6 months. The cure rate was similar in both groups. Results were better in patients suffering from genuine stress incontinence than in patients with mixed incontinence. TVT patients experienced more frequency and difficulty with voiding. There was no difference between the groups in patient satisfaction.

Conclusions

TOT appeared to be equally effective as TVT in the treatment of female incontinence. Both procedures were safe with few complications but there were less urinary symptoms in the TOT group postoperatively, as well as later on.