Objective outcome and quality-of-life assessment in women with repeat incontinence surgery

Neurourol Urodyn. 2017 Aug;36(6):1543-1549. doi: 10.1002/nau.23144. Epub 2016 Sep 27.

Abstract

Aims: To evaluate subjective and objective outcome after repeat surgery for stress urinary incontinence (SUI).

Methods: Patients who underwent a midurethral tape after failed Burch colposuspension or failed midurethal tape between 1999 and 2014 were invited for follow-up. Urogynecological examination and urodynamics was performed, and objective cure was defined as a negative cough stress test; subjective cure was defined as negotiation of SUI symptoms. Quality-of-life (QoL), sexual health, and subjective success was assessed with the King's Health Questionnaire, Incontinence Outcome Questionnaire, Female Sexual Function Index, and the Patient Global Impression of Improvement (PGI-I) score.

Results: Overall 52 women underwent repeat incontinence surgery. Out of the 44 women still alive, 33 (75%) were available for follow-up. All 33 women completed the questionnaires; 23 women (70%) attended the clinic and also had an urogynecological examination. At a median follow-up of 11 years, subjective cure was 67% (22/33), objective cure was 65% (16/23), and subjective success according to PGI-I was 78% (18/23), with no significant differences between groups. No erosions of suture or tape material into the bladder, urethra, or vagina were seen. Two women had received a third anti-incontinence operation with TVT after failed tape after failed Burch, and were continent at follow-up. Two women with tape after colposuspension required division of the tape and both were continent at the time of follow-up. With regard to QoL and sexual health, no significant differences were seen for most domains.

Conclusions: Midurethral tapes are an option for women with recurrent SUI after previous colposuspension or midurethral tape.

Keywords: Burch colposuspension; midurethral tape; quality of life; repeated surgery; stress urinary incontinence.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Quality of Life*
  • Reoperation
  • Suburethral Slings*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Urinary Incontinence, Stress / surgery*
  • Urodynamics
  • Urologic Surgical Procedures*