Translabial ultrasound evaluation after tension-free transobturator tape technique: Outcomes based on the tape's position.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and accuracy of postoperative translabial ultrasound to assess the position of the tape implanted with the tension-free transobturator tape technique.

METHODS

We enrolled women with clinically and urodynamically proven type I or II stress urinary incontinence who were referred for transobturator tape treatment.

RESULTS

A total of 50 women underwent a transobturator tape procedure and were included in the analysis. We divided the patients into two study groups (group A and group B), characterized by normal and obstructed flow at least 30 days after the surgical procedure visit, respectively. We performed a translabial ultrasound evaluation to assess the suburethral localization of the sling. On the longitudinal scan, the distance between the bladder neck and the suburethral sling was >10 mm in all patients in group A (16.7 ± 1.6). On the contrary, the values in group B were ≤10 mm (5.3 ± 4.8).

CONCLUSION

Our findings highlight the role of a skilled sonographic operator performing translabial ultrasound as a first-line method for evaluating postoperative transobturator tape procedure and sling positioning. Moreover, translabial ultrasound could be helpful to determine a "cutoff" of the bladder neck to sling distance, as this is related to the onset of the obstruction.