Transobturator tape (Uratape): a new minimally-invasive procedure to treat female urinary incontinence

OBJECTIVE: Assessment of one-year results of a new technique of transobturator suburethral tape in the treatment of female stress urinary incontinence. METHODS: UraTape, a non-woven, non-elastic polypropylene tape with a 15 mm long central (suburethral) silicone-coated section was inserted via the transobturator route. The tape is inserted tension-free in a horizontal plane underneath the middle of the urethra between the two obturator foramens. The ends of the tape are tunnelled percutaneously with a tunneller. As the retropubic space is preserved intact, cystoscopy is not required.From May 2000 to February 2002, 150 patients with stress urinary incontinence without associated prolapse were operated and a minimum of 1 year follow-up was available for 32 patients (mean follow-up 17 months; range 13-29). The mean age was 64 years (range 50-81). All patients were assessed before surgery by clinical and urodynamic examination: 5 patients presented sphincter incompetence (maximum closure pressure <20 cm H(2)O); 5 patients presented with recurrent urinary incontinence after Burch procedure or TVT; 18 patients presented with mixed incontinence, six of them with detrusor instability confirmed by cystometry. The results were evaluated by two independent investigators (clinical examination, uroflowmetry, cough test). Voiding disorders suggesting bladder outflow obstruction were defined as the presence of the following two criteria: Q(max)<15 ml/s, residual urine volume >20%. RESULTS: 29/32 patients (90.6%) were cured and 3/32 (9.4%) were improved. Mean operating time was 15minutes. No intra-operative complications were recorded. One patient had complete postoperative bladder retention which resolved after 4 weeks of self-catheterization. There were no problems with urethral erosion, residual pain or functional impairment related to the tape. 5/32 patients had voiding disorders suggesting bladder outflow obstruction. Two patients developed de novo urge incontinence. CONCLUSION: Uratape transobturator tape is a simple and effective procedure with follow-up of one year for the treatment of female stress urinary incontinence confirmed after 1 year of follow-up. The transobturator approach avoids the risk of bladder, bowel or vascular injuries. Evaluation of the results after a longer follow-up period is needed to validate this technique.