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In women who have stress incontinence and intrinsic sphincter deficiency, which midurethral sling produces the best long-term results?
- Which sling for which SUI patient?
Mark D. Walters, MD, and Anne M. Weber, MD (Surgical Techniques, May 2012)
These videos were selected by Dr. Walters and presented courtesy of the International Academy of Pelvic Surgery (IAPS)
When ISD is present, the urethra cannot coaptate and loses its ability to maintain a watertight seal. Women who have this condition often are severely incontinent, leaking urine at low volumes and pressures and with minimal exertion.
In this randomized trial, Schierlitz and colleagues hypothesized that TOT would produce higher objective and subjective failure rates than the TVT. This was confirmed by 6-month data published in 2008.
Details of the trial
Women who had SUI were included in the trial if they had ISD based on urodynamic findings (i.e., maximum urethral closure pressure ≤20 cm H2O or Valsalva leak-point pressure ≤60 cm H2O, or both) and were randomly assigned to TVT or TOT. The primary endpoint was symptomatic SUI (confirmed by repeat urodynamic testing) that required a second procedure upon patient request.
Participants were followed for 3 years. If a patient reported symptoms, urodynamic testing was repeated. In addition, the patient was offered another surgery, usually involving placement of a TVT sling.
Schierlitz and colleagues concluded that, if TVT were used in all patients, repeat surgery would be avoided in one in every six patients. The risk of repeat surgery was 15 times greater for TOT, compared with the TVT sling. The median time to failure was 15.6 months for the TOT sling, compared with 43.7 months for the TVT.
Of the 16 patients who underwent repeat surgery, 56% were cured, 25% reported minimal leakage, and 19% remained unchanged.
Quality-of-life scores were similar between groups at the 6-month follow-up.
Why did the TVT outperform the TOT in this population?
Investigators theorized that there is a difference in sling axis, with the TVT placed at a more acute angle than the TOT sling. In addition, the location of the TOT sling is more distal than that of the TVT, based on ultrasonographic imaging. As a result, more effective urethral kinking and support are likely with the TVT sling, improving continence rates.
Strengths and limitations of the trial
The randomization of participants and long-term follow-up bolster the trial’s credibility.
Weaknesses include unblinded participation and postoperative surgical assessment.
Although the sample size was underpowered, there was a significant difference in the primary outcome between the two groups.
Long-term success is more likely with placement of a TVT sling in women who have SUI with ISD.
Urodynamic assessment still serves an important role in the diagnosis of ISD, and aids in preoperative planning.
LADIN A. YURTERI-KAPLAN, MD, AND AMY J. PARK, MD
We want to hear from you! Tell us what you think.
- Which sling for which SUI patient?
Mark D. Walters, MD, and Anne M. Weber, MD (Surgical Techniques, May 2012)
These videos were selected by Dr. Walters and presented courtesy of the International Academy of Pelvic Surgery (IAPS)
When ISD is present, the urethra cannot coaptate and loses its ability to maintain a watertight seal. Women who have this condition often are severely incontinent, leaking urine at low volumes and pressures and with minimal exertion.
In this randomized trial, Schierlitz and colleagues hypothesized that TOT would produce higher objective and subjective failure rates than the TVT. This was confirmed by 6-month data published in 2008.
Details of the trial
Women who had SUI were included in the trial if they had ISD based on urodynamic findings (i.e., maximum urethral closure pressure ≤20 cm H2O or Valsalva leak-point pressure ≤60 cm H2O, or both) and were randomly assigned to TVT or TOT. The primary endpoint was symptomatic SUI (confirmed by repeat urodynamic testing) that required a second procedure upon patient request.
Participants were followed for 3 years. If a patient reported symptoms, urodynamic testing was repeated. In addition, the patient was offered another surgery, usually involving placement of a TVT sling.
Schierlitz and colleagues concluded that, if TVT were used in all patients, repeat surgery would be avoided in one in every six patients. The risk of repeat surgery was 15 times greater for TOT, compared with the TVT sling. The median time to failure was 15.6 months for the TOT sling, compared with 43.7 months for the TVT.
Of the 16 patients who underwent repeat surgery, 56% were cured, 25% reported minimal leakage, and 19% remained unchanged.
Quality-of-life scores were similar between groups at the 6-month follow-up.
Why did the TVT outperform the TOT in this population?
Investigators theorized that there is a difference in sling axis, with the TVT placed at a more acute angle than the TOT sling. In addition, the location of the TOT sling is more distal than that of the TVT, based on ultrasonographic imaging. As a result, more effective urethral kinking and support are likely with the TVT sling, improving continence rates.
Strengths and limitations of the trial
The randomization of participants and long-term follow-up bolster the trial’s credibility.
Weaknesses include unblinded participation and postoperative surgical assessment.
Although the sample size was underpowered, there was a significant difference in the primary outcome between the two groups.
Long-term success is more likely with placement of a TVT sling in women who have SUI with ISD.
Urodynamic assessment still serves an important role in the diagnosis of ISD, and aids in preoperative planning.
LADIN A. YURTERI-KAPLAN, MD, AND AMY J. PARK, MD
We want to hear from you! Tell us what you think.
- Which sling for which SUI patient?
Mark D. Walters, MD, and Anne M. Weber, MD (Surgical Techniques, May 2012)
These videos were selected by Dr. Walters and presented courtesy of the International Academy of Pelvic Surgery (IAPS)
When ISD is present, the urethra cannot coaptate and loses its ability to maintain a watertight seal. Women who have this condition often are severely incontinent, leaking urine at low volumes and pressures and with minimal exertion.
In this randomized trial, Schierlitz and colleagues hypothesized that TOT would produce higher objective and subjective failure rates than the TVT. This was confirmed by 6-month data published in 2008.
Details of the trial
Women who had SUI were included in the trial if they had ISD based on urodynamic findings (i.e., maximum urethral closure pressure ≤20 cm H2O or Valsalva leak-point pressure ≤60 cm H2O, or both) and were randomly assigned to TVT or TOT. The primary endpoint was symptomatic SUI (confirmed by repeat urodynamic testing) that required a second procedure upon patient request.
Participants were followed for 3 years. If a patient reported symptoms, urodynamic testing was repeated. In addition, the patient was offered another surgery, usually involving placement of a TVT sling.
Schierlitz and colleagues concluded that, if TVT were used in all patients, repeat surgery would be avoided in one in every six patients. The risk of repeat surgery was 15 times greater for TOT, compared with the TVT sling. The median time to failure was 15.6 months for the TOT sling, compared with 43.7 months for the TVT.
Of the 16 patients who underwent repeat surgery, 56% were cured, 25% reported minimal leakage, and 19% remained unchanged.
Quality-of-life scores were similar between groups at the 6-month follow-up.
Why did the TVT outperform the TOT in this population?
Investigators theorized that there is a difference in sling axis, with the TVT placed at a more acute angle than the TOT sling. In addition, the location of the TOT sling is more distal than that of the TVT, based on ultrasonographic imaging. As a result, more effective urethral kinking and support are likely with the TVT sling, improving continence rates.
Strengths and limitations of the trial
The randomization of participants and long-term follow-up bolster the trial’s credibility.
Weaknesses include unblinded participation and postoperative surgical assessment.
Although the sample size was underpowered, there was a significant difference in the primary outcome between the two groups.
Long-term success is more likely with placement of a TVT sling in women who have SUI with ISD.
Urodynamic assessment still serves an important role in the diagnosis of ISD, and aids in preoperative planning.
LADIN A. YURTERI-KAPLAN, MD, AND AMY J. PARK, MD
We want to hear from you! Tell us what you think.