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

Abstract

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.

Keywords: mid-urethra; stress urinary incontinence; translabial ultrasound; transobturator tape; women.