Surgical strategies for women with pelvic organ prolapse and urinary stress incontinence.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: This study aims to compare the result of an incontinence procedure performed at the time of prolapse repair or 3 months later in women with pelvic organ prolapse (POP) and stress urinary incontinence (SUI).

METHODS

In a multicenter prospective randomized trial, women with POP and SUI were randomized to have a tension-free vaginal tape (TVT) at the time of prolapse repair (n = 87; group I) or 3 months later (n = 94; group II). Women in group II were evaluated for SUI 3 months after the prolapse repair. Those with confirmed SUI had a TVT performed (n = 53). The main evaluation of all women was 1 year after the last surgery.

RESULTS

On-treatment analysis resulted in 95% cure of SUI in group I and 89% in group II (p = 0.12). Twenty-seven percent were cured after prolapse surgery alone.

CONCLUSIONS

No differences were found between the two treatment strategies, but almost one third of women were cured of SUI by prolapse surgery alone.