Transobturator adjustable tape (TOA) permits to correct postoperatively the tension applied in stress incontinence surgery.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: The adjustable transvaginal tape (TVA) has shown to allow adjustment of tension thus permitting correction of postoperative incontinence or obstruction. An adjustable transobturator mesh has been checked.

METHODS

Seventy-seven incontinent women received transobturator adjustable tape (TOA). Patients were monitored 1, 6, and 12 months post-surgery and annually thereafter by medical history, cough stress test, flowmetry, post-void residual (PVR), and incontinence quality of life, international consultation on incontinence-short form, and patient global impressions of improvement (PGI-I) questionnaires.

RESULTS

After adjustment, all patients rendered continent; none had PVR. On no occasion was vesical catheterization necessary. Mean follow-up was 24.7 +/- 10.3 months. Objective cure rate was 90% with 6.5% having greatly improved. The PGI-I questionnaire showed 90.7% of patients to be better or very much better than before. Q (max) was 21.3 +/- 7.2 ml/s. No infection was identified. Vaginal extrusion occurred in one patient.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data demonstrate that the TOA allows postoperative adjustment of tension thus permitting correction of postoperative incontinence or obstruction.